Policy
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Our policy engagement
The Centre has regularly engaged with relevant policy audiences throughout our research. At a time when circular economy is high on the agenda of many policymakers, we have been able to help inform and shape debate. We have submitted evidence to Committees from all four of the UK’s devolved nations, demonstrating the cross-border relevance of our work. We also have representation on the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on Energy Studies and more recently Fairer Business Banking.
The policy-relevant activities we actively carry out include attending subject relevant and influential policy discussion forums and participating as expert contributors in panel discussions. All of these help us influence debate and direction amongst those working towards sustainability goals.
We are seeking to influence policy in a number of areas relating to the chemical circular economy, with particular emphasis on the de-fossilisation of carbon sources. Previous work by the Centre has focused on chemical recycling as one such method – a particular policy challenge is that there is currently no distinction between chemical and mechanical recycling given by the UK Government or European Union. We are attempting to overcome these hurdles and promote the chemical circular economy by working closely with Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and policymakers across the UK including His Majesty’s Treasury, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero the Welsh Government and Zero Waste Scotland.
The Centre is working with policy leads to identify opportunities emerging from extensive engagement with Government and industry. Our findings will highlight the most effective channels to drive businesses, financiers and consumers to change their behaviour on sustainable chemicals, and outline steps policymakers can take to enable the large-scale implementation of access to clean and sustainable chemical products.
If you would like to contribute to the Centre’s latest Policy developments please contact the Policy team:
Prof Peter Styring (p.styring@sheffield.ac.uk)
Tom Franklin (t.w.franklin@sheffield.ac.uk)
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Policy-related work
Below are policy-relevant pieces of work that the Centre has been involved in:
Circular economy and waste route map to 2030: consultation A response to this Scottish Government consultation (Jan 2024) was written and submitted by Dr Thomas Franklin & Dr Matthew Royle.
Unlocking resource efficiency (2023). Dr Jonathan Wagner provided contributions to the research study on Resource Efficiency for the Chemical Sector. The purpose of the wide-ranging research study, commissioned jointly by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is to support the development of evidence-based policies that support industrial sectors to reach Net Zero targets.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (2023). Evidence on the Bill provided by Dr Melissa Marques-McEwan, Assistant Professor of Sustainable and Circular Businesses, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s call for evidence on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill (2023). Responses were submitted and written by Dr Katie Lamb, Dr Matthew Royle, Dr Melissa Marques-McEwan, Prof Bing Xu, Prof Umit Bititci & Parinaz Pourrahimian.
Innovation action plan to transform industrial waste gases to chemicals Circular Economy Innovation Network (2023). Reviewers included Dr Katie Lamb, Prof Peter Styring & Prof Jin Xuan.
Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework, an inquiry launched by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee within the UK Parliament, (May 2023). A response was submitted and written by Dr Katie Lamb, Matthew Royle, Dr Jonathan Wagner and Dr Feja Lesniewska. Dr Lesniewska acts as an advisor for the Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Mineral-based Construction Materials (ICEC-MCM Centre).
Just Transition to Net Zero Wales, an online consultation launched by the Llywodraeth Cymru (the Welsh Government), (March 2023). A response was submitted and written by Dr Katie Lamb, Matthew Royle, Dr Alberto Roldan, Qianqian Ma, Dr Ruini Qu, and Professor Bing Xu.
Circular Economy Strategy for Northern Ireland, an online consultation launched by Department for the Economy within the Northern Irish Government, (March 2023). A response was submitted and written by Dr Katie Lamb and Matthew Royle. We also thank Rob Scott from Manchester City Council, for their help and contributions towards answering some of the questions in this consultation. A public response report to this consultation has now been published online. A news article regarding our submission has been written by our own Matthew Royle.
Demystifying Series: Policymaking and a Circular Economy (2022) CE Hub. Authors Lucy Chamberlin & Georgie Hopkins. Written and reviewed by members of the Knowledge Hub Steering Group including Katie Lamb.
Green Steel (2022) UK Parliment Post (Number 672). Written by members of the POST board with contributions and a review conducted by Katie Lamb (2022).
Technological innovations and climate change: onshore solar energy, an inquiry launched by the Environmental Audit Committee within the UK Parliament, (December 2022). A response was written and submitted by Professor Elizabeth Gibson, Dr Joshua Karlsson, Matthew Royle, Dr Bening Muhammad and Dr Katie Lamb.
Towards a market for low emissions industrial products, an online consultation launched by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), (February 2022). A response was submitted and written by Dr Katie Lamb.