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.​​