Monash University has welcomed positive steps in Australia's transition to a circular economy, with two significant developments this month, including that the federal government adopted and agreed to implement Monash expert recommendations.
The federal government's Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group (CEMAG) this week launched its final report on the opportunities and challenges for Australia's transition to a more circular economy.
The report makes 14 core recommendations and 12 supporting sector-specific recommendations to accelerate industry innovation and empower business and consumers, reflecting the roadmap set out by Monash University in a submission to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into the Circular Economy in November.
The report follows last week's announcement by the federal government to establish a national circular economy framework, as recommended by Monash and the CEMAG.
The CEMAG, established in 2023, is chaired by Professor John Thwaites AM, who also chairs Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) and the university's Climateworks Centre.
"The government has adopted our first recommendation for a new circular economy policy framework for Australia, which has benefited from contributions from MSDI and Monash Business School," Professor Thwaites said.
"The new framework sets targets for Australia by 2035 to double circularity, shrink per capita material footprint by 10 per cent, lift material productivity by 30 per cent and safely recover 80 per cent of our resources."
Martin Geissdoerfer, Associate Professor for Circular Economy Transitions at Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Director of Monash's new Circular Economy Labs, said experts were buoyed by the government's commitment.
"The time for bold action is now, and we're pleased to see the government making positive steps in the right direction," he said.
"The transition to a circular economy could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 39 per cent by 2050, create six million jobs, and boost GDP by $210 billion.
"But we need to massively scale up to realise that potential."
Circular Economy Labs research recommends state and federal governments consider a broad set of policy levers, including taxation and product stewardship or extended producer responsibility that moves beyond end-of-life recovery options and prioritises higher-order circular strategies like reuse and repair over recycling.
Associate Professor Geissdoerfer said both Monash and the CEMAG also called for the establishment of a Circular Economy Act, including minimum product standards.
"While the government's framework mentions the role of government legislation and product design, it does not directly mention or commit to actual legislation," he said.
"This will be an important part of safeguarding businesses and consumers in a successful circular economy."
Monash's Circular Economy Labs were established earlier this year to provide evidence-based research and policy development to facilitate the transition to a circular economy, an economic system in which resource inputs, waste, emissions and energy leakages are minimised by cycling, extending, intensifying and dematerialising material, energy and water loops.
In its submission to the Productivity Commission, the university has also advocated trade agreements with other nations, a circular economy standards board to regulate Australia's circular economy across states and territories, circular economy-focused public procurement rules, and funds to support circular start-ups and the transition of existing production and logistics chains.
