[Answered] Discuss the concept of resource efficiency and circular economy as strategies to minimize dependence on natural resources, reduce waste, and promote sustainable design practices. How can these strategies help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals?

Resource efficiency and circular economy are linked ideas that emphasize resource management in a way that minimizes waste, has a minimal negative impact on the environment, and fosters long-term economic and ecological advantages. Both these concepts have emerged as viable alternatives to minimize dependence on natural resources, curtail waste, and encourage sustainable design practices.

How can these strategies help achieve SDG?

• Reduce GHG: Resource efficiency ensures the percentage of recycled items is increased. For eg, G20 nations have presented a blueprint for a circular economy for the steel sector to commit to net zero emissions from the sector. It will ensure reducing resource utilization and minimizing wastage. This will help achieve SDG Goal 7 of clean and affordable energy.
• Recycling: Effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plays a pivotal role in promoting the growth of the recycling infrastructure and establishing a streamlined waste collection system. This is directly aligned with SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. A circular economy approach will help reduce biowaste like municipal and industrial waste and agricultural residue and relieve pressure from the land for extracting resources.
• Innovation & sustainable practices: Resource efficiency and circular economy encourage innovation and sustainable practices like eco-friendly infrastructure development and sustainable manufacturing practices, aligning with SDG 9’s objective of building resilient infrastructure.
• Protect natural species: Resource management techniques and the circular economy encourage the wise use of natural resources while lowering pollution and preventing habitat damage. These support SDGs 14 and 15, respectively, which are concerned with the preservation and sustainable use of life on land and in the water.
• Zero hunger:  Circular economy activities can make positive contributions to SDG 2 by reducing food losses and food waste, and building circular, regenerative food systems. Reducing waste and food losses is also important in the agricultural sector.
• Sustainable Cities: Cities may encourage resource efficiency, sustainable waste management, and environmentally friendly urban development by using circular economy ideas. The creation of inclusive, secure, and sustainable cities and communities is one of SDG 11’s goals.

Conclusion:

India can play a key role in groups like G20 & advance the concepts of resource efficiency and circular economy practices by forming an industry coalition that aims to achieve enhanced technological collaboration, build advanced capabilities across sectors, mobilize de-risked finance, and facilitate a proactive private sector engagement. Union Government could highlight its popular initiatives like Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana for bio-ethanol projects, Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR) Dhan scheme to convert cattle dung and other organic waste into compost, biogas, and biofuels to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce pollution & finally Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme to promote the use of Compressed BioGas (CBG) as an alternative green transportation fuel.