Economic growth cannot be sustainable if it is achieved at the expense of social progress and environmental protection, Environment Minister Jose Herrera said while addressing a business breakfast which focused on promoting a circular economy.

He acknowledged that traditional economic growth models which survive on fossil fuels are not sustainable, calling for a low-carbon economy which is also circular.

Herrera said that government is introducing legal amendments to back these principles and effect change in the way consumers and businesses alike behave with relation to reducing, reusing and recycling.

He said that government wants to foster the right climate for more environmental awareness and action, create a secondary market for recyclable activity, increase attractiveness of research and innovation in the sector and increase mainstream public awareness on these relevant issues.

Herrera announced that a resource recovery council is to be launched, adding that the government cannot act alone and people must engage.