In 2017, Circle Economy Foundation recognised the urgent need to accurately measure the circular economy. At that time, there was no baseline measurement on the circular state of our world or data available to truly understand how to effectively move towards circularity or monitor progress.  

That is why, in January 2018, the first Circularity Gap Report was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This report established that our world was only 9.1% circular, leaving a massive Circularity Gap. It also provided a framework and knowledge base from which to measure and monitor progress in bridging the gap. In 2023, global circularity fell to 7.2%, as reported by the sixth-annual Circularity Gap Report, reiterating that our global economy is stuck in reverse and failing people and the planet. 

‍

Today, our efforts to measure the circular economy have grown into the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative (CGRi). The Initiative delivers an annual global Circularity Gap Report that measures the state of the world economy and identifies key levers to transition to global circularity. The CGRi also provides insights into the Circularity Gap of individual countries, cities and sectors. To improve the analysis and recommendations of all Circularity Gap Reports, the Initiative has formed a Global Data Alliance focused on using data as a force for good. 

The Initiative continues to bring together global, multi-sector stakeholders from academia, business, government and the non-profit sector to input, evaluate and endorse the authoritative annual report.