“With the circular economy am I an optimist? No. But I have some optimism” – Arab Hoballah, UNEP

Jonathan Andrews spoke to Arab Hoballah, Chief of the Sustainable Lifestyles, Cities and Industry Branch at the UN’s Environment Programme (UNEP) during the Urban Future Conference held in Graz, Austria

You painted a dark and pessimistic picture during your presentation here in Graz on the future of the circular economy. Do you not think that technology will enable the notion of the circular economy to move forward?

With the circular economy, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production I have some optimism. Am I an optimist? No. But I have some optimism because I have seen the change, mainly in the youth today that are more aware. If you look at the evolution in abs...