Tell us what you consider important for a greener economy in Yorkshire
The Yorkshire Circular Lab is running a survey to gather information about what people in Yorkshire find important for their community, economy and environment when building a more sustainable future together.
Taking climate action by changing how we use products and materials
Concerns about climate change are running high and it can be difficult to understand what each person can do about it. Half of our carbon emissions are associated with the products and materials that we use in our daily lives. And that’s where many of us can start taking action, by buying less, buying pre-loved and sustainable products, using them for longer, and getting them fixed for a second life and, eventually, recycling products if they really cannot be used again in a different way.
Such actions are all part of a move towards a circular economy. The linear economy - in which resources are taken from the environment and only used for a short while before being disposed – is a major cause for environmental degradation and growing social inequality. A circular economy can offer a sustainable alternative by reducing resource use and making better use of materials and products in our society.
A Circular Economy Strategy for Yorkshire
Realising a circular economy together forms a crucial part of climate action. It is not possible to achieve net-zero targets without changing the ways in which we use products and materials.
The Yorkshire and Humber Local Authorities Chief Executive’s net-zero group has commissioned a project to prepare a circular economy strategy and work programme for Yorkshire. The project is being delivered by the Yorkshire Circular Lab in close collaboration with the York and North Yorkshire LEP.
Realising a circular economy could involve big changes in the lifestyles of everyone in Yorkshire. Developing an initial circular economy strategy is a first step in enabling regional change and we want to involve people in Yorkshire as early as possible.
Make yourselves heard
The Yorkshire Circular Lab is running an anonymous survey to gather the views of everyone in Yorkshire about what they consider important in the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. This will shape a view of our collective values for a greener future.
The survey includes a few introductory questions to help us capture regional variations; realising a circular economy in a city, town or rural area may be very different for example. There are then three questions to select indicators about social, economic and environmental change.
Fin the survey at this link: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/valuing-a-circular-economy-in-yorkshire
The survey should take 5-7 minutes to complete and will stay open until 21. November 2021. The results will be used in the preparation of a circular economy strategy and work programme for Yorkshire.
Further information
Please contact Dr Anne Velenturf A.Velenturf@leeds.ac.uk with any questions or comments about this survey.
We are also organising a co-production workshop to make plans for implementing a circular economy in Yorkshire. If you are working at a local authority or LEP, a civic or voluntary organisation, or a company or social enterprise with an interest in circular economy and would like to take part in the workshop, then please get in touch to find out more.