By Xiong Xiaoping, Wu Ping and Chang Jiwen, Institute for Resources and Environment Policies, DRC; Chen Weiqiang and Song Lulu, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Meng Xiaoyan, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Research Report, No.339, 2022 (Total 6853) 2022-10-25

Abstract: Developing the circular economy is an important path to promote fundamental reform in resource production and utilization, and achieve green and low-carbon transformation. Significant synergistic carbon emission reduction benefits could be generated through such resource recycling strategies as replacing primary resources through recycling utilization, improving resource utilization efficiency through technological transformation, and reducing resource demand by extending product life. The results of the whole-life cycle analysis of China's 13 bulk materials show that by strengthening resource recycling management, it is expected that by 2060 carbon emissions from the production and utilization of the corresponding resources can be reduced by 76% compared to 2018, and the cumulative reduction of carbon emissions from 2019 to 2060 will be nearly 20 billion tons. Major industries, such as iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, cement and glass, could achieve greater carbon reduction by applying resource recycling strategies. In the future, it is necessary to give full play to the important role of resource recycling management in the "dual carbon" strategy, improve the top-level design and relevant systems and policies for resource recycling and synergistic carbon reduction, highlight the recycling of resources in key areas, and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the circular economy.

Keywords: resource cycle, carbon neutrality, carbon peaking, synergistic emission reduction, bulk materials