Circular Innovation Lab Contributes to GEO-7, the World’s Most Comprehensive Environmental Assessment
- Laura Visini
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
As the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) releases the Global Environment Outlook, Seventh Edition (GEO-7), the most extensive environmental assessment ever produced, Circular Innovation Lab announces its contribution to this landmark report through the leadership of our CEO Apoorva Arya, who served as Co-ordinating Lead Author for the Circular Economy chapter.
Circular Innovation Lab’s Role in a Global Scientific Effort
GEO-7, was built by 287 scientists from 82 countries, and offers the clearest science-based picture to date of the planet’s health and the transformation pathways needed to address climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution and waste. Coming at a moment when action is more urgent than ever, the report outlines pathways that could yield US$20 trillion in global benefits each year by 2070.
Apoorva's involvement in the project began two years ago, at the GEO-7 Scoping Meeting in Nairobi, where thought leaders including Patrick Schröder, Ke Wang, Kari Herlevi, Bonmwa Fwangkwal, and Joss Blériot helped define the ambition of this edition of GEO. One insight guided their work: the solutions exist, what is needed now is the will to scale them.
In the role of Co-ordinating Lead Author of Chapter 15, alongside Patrick Schröder, Apoorva Arya played a central role in shaping the circular economy solutions embedded throughout GEO-7. Her contribution reflects both regional insight and systems-level expertise, bringing emphasis to actionable levers capable of accelerating the shift from extractive to regenerative economic models.
The chapter highlights key levers for circular and regenerative transformation, bringing forward systemic shifts needed to change global production and consumption patterns, including:
Full-cost pricing and harmonised eco-design standards
Digital product passports and circular finance mechanisms
Workforce development for green and circular skills
Integration of Indigenous Knowledge into economic and environmental governance
These levers are designed to support governments, businesses, and financial institutions in accelerating transitions already underway across energy, food, mobility, infrastructure, materials, and waste systems.
A Blueprint for a Resilient and Regenerative Future
GEO-7 emphasises that the world is rapidly approaching critical tipping points, but also that the solutions to reverse environmental decline are within reach. Its transformation pathways show that coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society action can:
Avoid millions of premature deaths
Lift millions out of poverty and undernourishment
Strengthen resilience to climate risks
Restore natural systems and biodiversity
Deliver unprecedented economic gains
This qualifies this edition of GEO as more than just a report, but a global call to action.
What Geo-7 Means to Us
For Circular Innovation Lab, participating in GEO-7 reinforces our mission: to build economic systems that regenerate rather than extract. This report reflects the perseverance of experts who refuse to give up on our planet’s future, and urges us to rethink our relationship with the Earth. A clear reminder that our choices still matter, that the future is still ours to shape.
Our heartfelt thanks to the GEO-7 authors, contributing experts, and the UNEP Secretariat for their unwavering commitment to delivering this transformative assessment.
Launch Details
The Official GEO-7 Launch event happened in Nairobi, Kenya, on December 9th, 2025 at 12:00 EAT / 10:00 CET, and counted with a side event on Solutions for a Resilient Planet at 13:45 EAT / 11:45 CET.
The full report is available for download using the button below.
