The Principle of Reduce in Circular Economy: Simply Using Less?

Reduce stands for bringing down the consumption of natural resources, which decreases waste production. Reduce is also one of the most sustainable Rs because of its focus on smarter product use and production. It seems to be by far the most important step to save our planet, as using fewer materials represents a high level of circularity. One major contribution of implementing circular business models with a focus on reduce is lowering the carbon footprint of entrepreneurial activities. The upstream activities, mainly production and transportation of goods, are responsible for up to 80% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in global value chains, which makes it necessary to rethink buyer–supplier relationships. Supplier engagement is key to reducing the carbon footprint. The case of Ørsted showcases how a company can bring suppliers along the climate journey.