According to the report The circular economy at work: Jobs and skills for London's low carbon future 2022, 280,000 new 'sustainable' jobs could be created in the city of London alone by 2030. This is thanks to the circular economy strategies proposed by Mayor Sadiq Khan's government, which has also set ambitious environmental strategy targets for the city - all with minimal job losses in 'traditional' sectors.
The circular economy in London is not something marginal, but is gaining increasing weight in economic policy choices. As highlighted by ReLondon - the initiator of the above-mentioned report - we are talking about a sector that is capable of generating £11 billion and could grow to over £24 billion by the end of the decade.
The need for new jobs in the London capital will not only concern the waste and recycling sectors - for which the target set is to reach 65% recycling - as one might assume. Key words of the circular transition are in fact also sharing, reuse and repair.
The need for circular reconversion will require new or updated skills in various sectors, thus creating numerous new job opportunities and new professional figures.
What are the characteristics of 'circular' jobs?
The report defines a circular job as a type of profession that is 'directly involved in or indirectly supports the goals of a circular economy'. Fundamental is training in what are called 'circular skills', a set of knowledge, skills and abilities that are needed to keep products and materials circulating within the economy at their highest possible value for as long as possible.
Circular jobs include those that enable companies to close the loop in order to recycle raw materials, as well as all those that keep goods and materials valuable for as long as possible. These range from jobs in the recycling sector to those enabling reuse and repair as well as rental and leasing. Then there are jobs supporting activities that promote the circularity of the economy. Think for example of branches related to digital technology, design, communication or logistics.
London as an example to follow
If London's Mayor's strategy transition to 2030 is confirmed, circular or circular economy-related jobs could reach 515,000. This is thanks to the estimated creation of an additional 100,000 basic circular jobs, 20,000 enabling circular jobs and 163,000 indirect circular jobs. Numbers those of London that tell how concrete the ecological reconversion of the future of our cities can be.
The aim is to show how investing in the circular economy does not only mean aiming for a development model that significantly reduces waste and emissions, but also generating jobs and consequent new wealth, but in a sustainable way.