In recent decades, CO2 emissions drastically increased, in particular
in the energy, agriculture, and industry sectors. Until recently, humans
played a disruptive role within the carbon cycle, employing a linear model
whereby we extract carbon from the ground and release it into the atmosphere.
The conventional notion of a linear economy is a once-through system of
assumed limitless resources and limitless capacity to absorb waste.
Running counter to the linear model, the circular economy is about closing
the loop on resource use and protecting the environment. The more products
that are recycled at the end of their useful life, the less the need for
raw resources and the smaller the waste stream.
The Circular Carbon Economy differs from the concept of a circular economy
in that it focuses exclusively on carbon and energy flows. The ‘four Rs’
(Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Remove) of the circular carbon economy serve
as categories of mitigation options, whereas the ‘three Rs’ (minus ‘remove’)
of the circular economy are principles to govern the behavior of firms
and households.
The CCE framework shows us that we can “Reduce” our CO2 emissions,
“Reuse” the CO2 we capture as is, “Recycle” the CO2 we
capture by transforming it into new products, and “Remove” the CO2 that
is emitted in the atmosphere. Now, by mimicking the natural process of
the Earth, we can achieve our own balance to close the loop. We can reach
this goal not only by reducing emissions through energy efficiency and
use of renewables, but also by reusing and recycling our carbon emissions
and even removing them from the atmosphere entirely.