Barriers, enablers and approaches for a more circular economy

Research approach

The research examined New Zealand's economic system with a broad perspective. The analysis covered inputs and stocks of raw materials, energy, water, infrastructure and technology, finance, social capital, and human capabilities. It focused on the whole economy, and the sector areas of manufacturing, food, and the built environment which have the greatest potential for emissions reduction through circular approaches.

Identification of barriers and enablers provided insights about the activities and approaches that would be needed for a shift to more circularity in the New Zealand economy to realise emission reduction potential and economic benefits.

Key findings

The research proposed that the biggest opportunity for New Zealand to progress a circular economy would come from leveraging the nation's bio-based primary sector. This would involve lower-extraction practices, diversification into high-value bioeconomy sectors, and local manufacturing. Māori, with ownership and interest in forestry and oceans, can lead and benefit from the bioeconomy, through place-based initiatives and growth of Māori enterprise. Data would play a critical role to meet growing international regulatory and consumer demand for transparent, low emission and sustainable supply chains.

For manufacturing, the research identified opportunities to use more renewable materials. Localised supply chains, securing access to critical raw materials, and accelerating metal recovery efforts would support New Zealand’s emerging clean tech sector. 

For food, a focus on innovation upstream in the food value chain, would reduce environmental impacts and help to maintain competitiveness of trade which is increasingly focused on environmental sustainability. Approaches that could be considered include scaling regenerative agriculture and aquaculture, innovation in alternative protein foods, increasing consumer-facing information, supporting innovation networks, and place-based initiatives to test and demonstrate food system solutions.  

Construction and demolition waste (which accounts for up to half of all wastes going to landfill) could be reduced at the initial design stages of building or used as input for new products. Modular construction, offsite prefabrication and adaptive reuse are emerging as approaches for resource-efficient buildings. Development of data and digital tools, such as material passports and material tracking systems, would enable more reuse and remanufacture of materials. 

This research was led by The Connective and collaborators.

A report and summary slides are available here for download: