To make Canada a world leader in building a sustainable, prosperous, zero-waste, low-carbon-emitting Circular Economy that benefits the lives of people at home and abroad.
OUR MISSION
To provide thought leadership, technical expertise and a collaborative platform for the development of pioneering solutions that eliminate waste at all stages of the life cycle of products and accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy.
OUR PLAN
Foster a greater understanding of the barriers and benefits associated with eliminating waste and transitioning to a Circular Economy, producing best-in-class research and initiating broad engagement to create a society-wide dialogue across silos and between uncommon partners.
Spearhead a national strategy for the circular economy by developing and proposing a Circular Economy Roadmap, with an approach to change that is bold but achievable with goals and solutions for all levels of government, business and civil society.
Provide guidance to develop a systems approach to innovation and change at a national scale, leading to the adoption of strategies and policies that eliminate waste and accelerate the development of Canada’s Circular Economy.
Lead communications efforts to engage Canadians in every walk of life, shift mindsets and behaviours, and encourage broad participation in the transition to the Circular Economy.
OUR VALUE PROPOSITION
CELC is dedicated to bringing value by filling existing gaps in the Canadian market place and supporting efforts to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Canada. We do this by:
Serving as an information hub, a connector, and a resource coordinator (across Canada and with linkages to global partners) to address existing fragmentation and bring leading networks and actors together to support a focused and coordinated approach to circular economy efforts in Canada.
Championing key issues and advancing opportunities as it relates to the circular economy in Canada (acting as a two-way communication channel between government and industry).
Showcasing corporate leadership and demonstrating success, with a focus on the business case for action and avoiding the risks of inaction.
Building out the various work streams under the Circular Economy Solutions Series that focus on exploiting the opportunities, tackling the barriers, and accelerating the circular economy transition in key sectors.
OUR PLEDGE
Building a low-carbon, circular economy in Canada will require an enormous structural and cultural shift to address our currently unsustainable “linear” model. While daunting, the challenge will also bring many new opportunities and advantages.
Collaboration across governments, business sectors, academic and applied researchers, and non-governmental organizations is essential for advancing a thriving innovation ecosystem that attracts investment and creates jobs, while strengthening communities and protecting the environment.
CELC is committed to taking action to lead Canada toward a more circular model. We’re collectively committing to support the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on responsible consumption and production, and to substantially reduce waste, in all of its forms, by 2030.
We pledge to move the concept of circular economy into action by:
Committing to lead by example, and put the principles of circular economy to work in our own actions and those of our organizations;
Urging all companies to commit to being an agent of transformative change beyond their own direct operations – using their full range of influence to accelerate economy-wide action;
Convening leaders from business and civil society to collaborate in seeking innovative circular economy solutions and strengthening the ecosystem; and
Advocating for the circular economy with leaders in government, business, and civil society, and engaging all stakeholders from across Canada to move toward more circular models.
We can’t do it alone – but through CELC, we will have a greater impact and can accelerate the transition in Canada.
OUR EXPERTS
Jennifer Barbazza, Manager of Sustainability, Walmart Canada
Sarah Brooks, Senior Associate, The Natural Step Canada
Stephanie Cairns, Director of Circular Economy, Smart Prosperity Institute
Joanne Gauci, Senior Policy Advisor, Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council
Usman Valiante, Senior Policy Analyst, Corporate Policy Group
Alice Irene Whittaker, Director of Communications, Circular Economy Leadership Canada
Juli Rohl, Animator, Energy Futures Lab
Alan Young, Principal, Material Efficiency Research Group (MERG)
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