WASTE MANAGEMENT AS A MECHANISM FOR TRANSITIONING TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN LIGHT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Abstract

The circular economy is an economic system designed to rebuild capital, enhance resource returns, and maximize their utility by minimizing waste through the recycling of products and raw materials at all stages. This approach represents a fundamentally different way of conducting business. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is rapidly advancing toward the adoption of a circular economy model. In collaboration with the World Economic Forum for the Middle East and North Africa, the UAE government has signed the "Accelerating the Circular Economy 360" initiative, positioning itself as one of the first countries globally to support this initiative. By implementing the circular economy model in its urban areas, the UAE is projected to realize savings of up to $28 billion from 2020 to 2030. The National Energy Strategy targets an increase in the contribution of clean energy to the national energy mix to 50% by 2050 and aims to enhance consumption efficiency by 40%. This strategy encompasses projects for converting waste to energy and transforming industrial waste into resources for other industries within the framework of the circular economy.