At London Climate Action Week 2025, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and project partners including CATL and Systemiq introduced an action agenda to create a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. for critical minerals.
Together, and led by the Foundation's new Executive Lead for Critical Minerals, Wen-Yu Weng, we will set a vision, develop roadmaps, mobilise key players, and catalyse action to drive system-level change.
Held at The Conduit, Covent Garden, and opened by the Foundation’s CEO, Jonquil Hackenberg, the event was attended by industry leaders, policymakers, and financial institutions and investors.
Panellists discussed the circular economy opportunity for critical minerals in the energy transition, the need to unlock investment, and how we can create a circular economy for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, and the Foundation shared an ambition to decouple new battery production from the use of virgin materialsvirgin materialsMaterials that have not yet been used in the economy..
The event also offered an opportunity for attendees to learn more about a circular economy for critical minerals and discuss collaboration opportunities. Organisations interested in working with the Foundation on this project can contact us at network@ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.
