FROM THE CEO
Jacqueline Brinkman , Chief Executive Officer
As every report produced by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change illustrates , “ climate change is the defining issue of our time and we are at a defining moment ”. With shifting weather patterns , rising sea levels and devastating bushfires , such as the ones we experienced in Australia last summer , it is widely agreed that the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale .
While climate change is of course a global issue , it is becoming more accepted that local governments and local economic development strategies can make a critical difference in efforts to mitigate environmental impacts , by embedding circular economy principles into policy levers . Local government is ideally placed to influence the use and reuse of materials in cities and regions . This can have a profound effect on the environment , health , community wealth and local job creation .
This new-look edition of the EDA journal presents the theory of circular economy , as well as a range of case studies to illustrate the power and transformative impact of local circular economy initiatives . We received a record number of submissions to publish in this EDA Journal . Thank you to all our successful authors for sharing their insights and experiences .
KPMG , which provides excellent context for the range of case studies to follow .
Julie McAlpin from RDA Sydney provides an erudite article outlining the ways circular economy principles can drive production in advanced manufacturing and agribusiness .
While climate change is of course a global issue , it is becoming more accepted that local governments and local economic development strategies can make a critical difference in efforts to mitigate environmental impacts , by embedding circular economy principles into policy levers .
Using the Noosa Plastic Free Places program report , Sasha Lennon ’ s article illustrates how local governments can implement a cost – benefit analyses to measure and report on circular economy initiatives . how the use of bio-precincts can drive local jobs and produce far reaching social benefits .
Churchill Fellow , Brad Mashman and Rena Dare deliver a compelling call to action for Australia to emulate the cohesive and collaborative approach to circular economy policies and system development adopted by the European Union .
RMIT Professor Lisa Farrell ’ s article describes the wonderful , communityled initiative known as the Merrymakers Scarecrow Village . While it might be tempting to consider this case study as a ‘ bit of fun ’, I urge readers to consider Professor Farrell ’ s advice ; “ while values are not the typical domain of economists , it is increasingly important that applied economists adopt a behavioural economics framework to understand the economic and psychological based motivations of citizens .”
These are just a few of the many contributions to this bumper edition . Many thanks to all our authors , in particular to Mackay Regional Council and SC Lennon and Associates for supporting the EDA journal as authors but also our inaugural advertisers ! This support will allow EDA to continue to produce quality publications and build knowledge and capacity in the economic development sector .
I recommend starting with the overview of the key principles of circular economy , provided by Dr Ian C Overton and Dr Scott V Valentine from Green Industries SA and
Mackay Regional Council provides a fascinating overview of the sustainable economic development strategies across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region , and
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