LocationsWhy a circular economy matters for Georgia
Moving from a Linear Present to a Circular Future
September 11, 2024
Photo: UNDP/Gela Bedianashvili
When you talk to young Georgians, it's immediately clear how passionate they are about being change agents and how much responsibility they are willing to take. This determined and pragmatic generation, raised in the era following the fall of the Berlin Wall, is shaped by greater personal freedoms in a context of growing global uncertainties, chief amongst these being the omnipresence of climate change. They see their mission as building a new world grounded in fresh principles.
As Young Climate Ambassador, Salome Noniashvili says: “Wherever we live, it’s our responsibility to take care of nature and address environmental issues in our communities.”
This summer, hundreds of young people from across Georgia joined summer schools and green camps organized by UNDP and various civil society organizations. Many of them come from regions hit by climate-induced disasters like floods and landslides, while others have endured the ravages of armed conflict. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they share a common vision – Georgia's youth are committed to creating a greener, cleaner planet and are ready to take action.
"We want a green, clean, and healthy planet!" shared the eco-camp participants, Anastasia Kvaratskhelia and Zura Jojiashvili.
The challenge now is how Georgia can meet this generational demand and what opportunities the country has to fulfil the aspirations of its youth.
"We want a green, clean, and healthy planet!" share eco-camp participants.
Why a Circular Economy?
The circular economy offers a solution to the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution, hyper-consumerism, and resource depletion. Research shows that this model could meet human needs using only 70 percent of the materials we currently consume, potentially reducing global demand for resource extraction by a third. By rethinking how we use resources, the circular economy aims to balance human consumption with environmental preservation, benefitting both people and the planet. [Source: UNDP Climate Promise: What is circular economy and why does it matter?]
Despite its promise, only 7.2 percent of the global economy currently operates on circular principles. The dominant economic model remains linear, following a 'take-make-waste' approach that exceeds ecological limits and threatens environmental health.
The urgency is clear: in 2023, global municipal solid waste production reached 2 billion tonnes, with projections showing an increase to 3.4 billion annually by 2050. Much of this waste is managed unsustainably. [Source: World Bank]
Progress is often slow even in countries with significant potential for circular practices. This hesitation is partly due to insufficient investment and the immense societal (not least political) effort required to transform national economies.
Amid these challenges, UNDP’s visionary approach can make a significant impact. By helping countries like Georgia make bold, transformative decisions, UNDP can pave the way for a sustainable future.
UNDP’s visionary approach helps countries like Georgia make bold, transformative decisions and pave the way for a sustainable future.
Photo: UNDP/Giorgi Shengelia
Georgia's Circular Economy Challenge
Georgia’s circularity rate is a mere 1.3 percent, far below the global average of 7.2 percent and the European average of 11.5 percent. This low rate indicates that the country relies on virgin resources instead of recycling and reusing materials. [Source: Circularity Gap Report 2023]
In the past decade, plastic production and imports have surged by 71 percent, leading to widespread illegal dumpsites, especially in rural areas. [Source: World Bank. 2023] Plastic makes up more than 95 percent of litter on Georgia's Black Sea beaches. In 2020 alone, up to 93 percent of plastic produced and imported in Georgia ended up as waste, exacerbating environmental pollution. [Source: EU/UNDP EU4EMBLAS project]
Several challenges hinder Georgia's transition to a circular economy, including inadequate waste management infrastructure, limited government support, high costs for startups and investments, and a lack of awareness and incentives among private companies.
However, there are reasons for optimism.
Georgia’s private sector is eager to access European markets, leveraging opportunities from the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU and the country’s recent EU candidate status. These opportunities come with quality standards in both production and packaging, making eco-friendly and circular practices essential for Georgian companies to remain competitive.
Georgia’s vibrant civil society also provides hope for the country’s circular future. In recent years, environmental sustainability and rights have gained prominence on the civil society agenda, drawing attention from the media, activists, and local communities. [UNDP: Fostering Environmental Justice in Georgia. 2024:]
Additionally, around 90 percent of Georgia’s population, especially its motivated youth, is well aware of climate challenges, even if this awareness doesn't always lead to action. [UNDP: What Georgians Know about Climate Change. 2021]
Finally, Georgia’s relatively small economy and remarkable experience with speedy and efficient reforms offer a unique opportunity for quick systemic transformations to introduce nationwide circular solutions.
Photo: UNDP/Giorgi Shengelia
How UNDP Helps Drive the Change
Transitioning to a circular economy requires a complete rethink of legislative frameworks, production and consumption patterns, and entrepreneurship. Recognizing this, UNDP actively supports Georgia on this transformative journey. Our efforts focus on engaging the public, private, and civic sectors, while also bringing in resources and pioneering expertise from the European Union, Norway, and Sweden.
- Together with Sweden, we are supporting the development of a National Roadmap to a Circular Economy, slated for adoption by the Government by the end of 2024. This roadmap will provide a clear framework with actionable strategies for developing a national circular economy model.
- Additionally, we are working with Georgia’s Government, including the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Board on Circular Economy, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development to enhance their capacities in key circular economy areas, such as green public procurement.
- With funding from Norway, we are running pilot initiatives and awareness campaigns to reduce plastic pollution, promote recycling, and foster sustainable entrepreneurship. These initiatives bring together leading civil society organizations like the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) along with partners from the public and private sectors.
- Our partnership with the European Union supports Georgian production companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting sustainable production models aligned with European best practices. Initiatives like establishing Georgia’s Packaging Cluster, with support from the EU and UNDP, have led to numerous success stories. Many enterprises have introduced new production lines or revamped their operations to incorporate sustainable practices, such as producing reusable packaging or recycling plastic waste.
Gazing Into the Future
These first steps signal Georgia’s shift from a linear present to a circular future. Importantly, they give the younger generation, including students, civic activists, and startup entrepreneurs, the opportunity to lead in raising awareness and testing circular solutions. The endpoint is the full normalization and integration of these solutions into regular and standard practices. Layered experience of young people is already equipping them for their future roles as decision-makers, tasked with building a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
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