Circular Economy and the Transition to a Sustainable Society: Integrated Assessment Methods for a New Paradigm
22 Mar 2021-Vol. 1, Iss: 1, pp 99-113
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that a clearer definition is needed for the circular economy concept, in terms of strategies, objectives, future states and stakeholders' needs, and they establish the need for a multi-stakeholder, multi-dimensional and multi-criteria approach for the evaluation of the transition towards a circular economy across different time and spatial scales.
Abstract: The circular economy concept has recently gained prominence in political debate and corporate discourse around the world as a pathway towards sustainability. The academic debate is characterised by several and sometimes very contrasting definitions of the concept. We claim here that the issue is not finding silver-bullet solutions that will simultaneously support population growth, increasing affluence and environmental resource regeneration. We argue that a clearer definition is needed for the circular economy concept, in terms of strategies, objectives, future states and stakeholders’ needs. Also, assessment methods need to be developed for keeping track of the transition towards a circular economy. Within this context, this paper establishes the need for a multi-stakeholder, multi-dimensional and multi-criteria approach for the evaluation of the transition towards a circular economy across different time and spatial scales, as well as multiple sustainability dimensions.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors employ the well-known Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (The Natural Step Framework) to comparatively identify the relative and integrated contribution of the three narratives for global net sustainability.
96 citations
Cites background from "Circular Economy and the Transition..."
...However, scholars have been exploring compatibilities of GE, CE or BE and the limits of economic growth (D’Amato et al., 2019; Ghisellini et al., 2016; Giampietro, 2019; Hart and Pomponi, 2021; Kasztelan, 2017; Oliveira et al., 2021; Therond et al., 2017)....
[...]
TL;DR: Assessment of whether the current modelling approaches for CLSC problems can support the transition towards a Circular Economy at a supply chain level comprehensively assesses the extent to which existing modelling approaches evaluate the performance of supply chains across the complete spectrum of sustainability dimensions.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors applied the Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy accounting Applied Framework (LEAF) to understand and measure the burdens of a dairy production chain (particularly buffalo mozzarella cheese, a specialty of the Campania Region, Italy), to decrease the current environmental pressure of the dairy sector.
Abstract: Bio-circular strategies to improve production and consumption can be the answer to decrease the current environmental pressure of the dairy sector. Environmental impacts are related to the extensive fodder production with intense use of fertilizers, greenhouse gasses emission from cattle and fossil fuels. To understand and measure the burdens of a dairy production chain (particularly buffalo mozzarella cheese, a specialty of the Campania Region, Italy), the Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy accounting Applied Framework (LEAF) was applied. Many studies evaluated dairy systems using single methods, which are unable to capture all sustainable perspectives. The LEAF evaluation encompasses an Ex-ante LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to identify the hotspots and suggest feasible improved scenarios of the investigated case study. Followed by EMA (EMergy Accounting) and Ex-post LCA applications, LEAF assures the feasibility of the proposed solutions and verifies the reduction of the environmental burdens towards increased sustainability. Two different scenarios were built based on the identified hotspots (cleaning products and electricity): (i) a technological improvement (dealing with cleaning processes methods), (ii) an eco-efficiency perspective (fossil energy replaced with renewable alternatives). Additionally, viewpoint shifting scenarios based on (iii) different allocation procedures were proposed to discuss crucial methodological issues. Results showed that technological improvements provide the best environmental performance, with lower emissions and better Emergy indicators, and better work conditions. However, the use of a more renewable electricity mix can deliver similar environmental gains. The change of perspective in the last scenario highlighted that multi-output issues should be carefully treated to avoid misleading results.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the factors for blockchain technology adoption in agricultural supply chains (ASCs) to enhance circularity and understand the dependencies, hierarchical structure and causalities between these factors.
Abstract: PurposeThe authors originally explore the factors for blockchain technology (BCT) adoption in agricultural supply chains (ASCs) to enhance circularity and understand the dependencies, hierarchical structure and causalities between these factors.Design/methodology/approachBased on an extant literature review and expert opinion, the present study identified ten enablers for adopting BCT to leverage the circular economy (CE) practices in the ASCs. Then, using an integrated interpretive structural modeling and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (ISM-DEMATEL) approach, hierarchical and cause–effect relationships are established.FindingsIt was observed that traceability is the most prominent enabler from the CE perspective in ASCs. However, traceability, being a net effect enabler, will be realized through the achievement of other cause enablers, such as seamless connectivity and information flow and decentralized and distributed ledger technology. The authors also propose a 12 Rs framework for enhancing circularity in ASC operations.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper identifies enablers to BCT adoption that will enhance circularity in ASC operations. The ISM hierarchical model is based on the driving and dependence powers of the enablers, and DEMATEL aids in identifying causal relationships among the enablers.Practical implicationsThe study's findings and proposed 12 Rs framework may help the practitioners and policymakers devise effective BCT implementation strategies in ASCs, thereby empowering sustainability and circularity.Originality/valueThis study enriches the literature by identifying and modeling enablers for BCT adoption in ASCs. The study also proposes a new 12 Rs framework to help enhance ASC circularity.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors present a DBP concept for an electric vehicle battery (EVB) and delineate the respective information requirements needed to enable sustainable and circular value chains, and four potential DBP use cases of distinct EVB value chain stakeholders are presented in order to illustrate how the concept may be used to support sustainable product management.
14 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: This article conducted an extensive literature review, employing bibliometric analysis and snowballing techniques to investigate the state of the art in the field and synthesise the similarities, differences and relationships between both terms.
3,508 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, un estudio en donde se proporciona una revision extensa de la literatura de las two ultimas decadas, con el proposito de captar las principales caracteristicas y perspectivas of la CE (Economia circular): origenes, principios basicos, ventajas and desventajas, Modelado e implementacion of CE in los diferentes niveles (micro, meso, and macro) in todo el world.
3,121 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities, whereas it is oftentimes not highlighted that CE necessitates a systemic shift.
Abstract: The circular economy concept has gained momentum both among scholars and practitioners. However, critics claim that it means many different things to different people. This paper provides further evidence for these critics. The aim of this paper is to create transparency regarding the current understandings of the circular economy concept. For this purpose, we have gathered 114 circular economy definitions which were coded on 17 dimensions. Our findings indicate that the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities, whereas it is oftentimes not highlighted that CE necessitates a systemic shift. We further find that the definitions show few explicit linkages of the circular economy concept to sustainable development. The main aim of the circular economy is considered to be economic prosperity, followed by environmental quality; its impact on social equity and future generations is barely mentioned. Furthermore, neither business models nor consumers are frequently outlined as enablers of the circular economy. We critically discuss the various circular economy conceptualizations throughout this paper. Overall, we hope to contribute via this study towards the coherence of the circular economy concept; we presume that significantly varying circular economy definitions may eventually result in the collapse of the concept.
3,018 citations
Book•
12 Dec 1995
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an EMERGY Evaluation Procedure and Evaluation Procedure for Energy Hierarchy and Energy Hierarchical Energy Hierology, which is based on EMERGE Algebra.
Abstract: Introduction: EMERGY and Real Wealth. EMERGY and the Energy Hierarchy. Earth EMERGY. Environmental Production and Economic Use. EMERGY Evaluation Procedure. Empower Through Networks: EMERGY Algebra. Evaluating Environmental Resources. Net EMERGY of Fuels and Electricity. Evaluating Alternatives for Development. EMERGY of States and Nations. Evaluating International Exchange. Evaluating Information and Human Service. EMERGY Over Time. Comparison of Methods. Policy Perspectives. An Emergy Glossary. Appendices. References. Index.
2,014 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a revised definition of the circular economy is proposed, where planning, resourcing, procurement, production and reprocessing are designed and managed, as both process and output, to maximize ecosystem functioning and human well-being.
Abstract: There have long been calls from industry for guidance in implementing strategies for sustainable development. The Circular Economy represents the most recent attempt to conceptualize the integration of economic activity and environmental wellbeing in a sustainable way. This set of ideas has been adopted by China as the basis of their economic development (included in both the 11th and the 12th ‘Five Year Plan’), escalating the concept in minds of western policymakers and NGOs. This paper traces the conceptualisations and origins of the Circular Economy, tracing its meanings, and exploring its antecedents in economics and ecology, and discusses how the Circular Economy has been operationalized in business and policy. The paper finds that while the Circular Economy places emphasis on the redesign of processes and cycling of materials, which may contribute to more sustainable business models, it also encapsulates tensions and limitations. These include an absence of the social dimension inherent in sustainable development that limits its ethical dimensions, and some unintended consequences. This leads us to propose a revised definition of the Circular Economy as “an economic model wherein planning, resourcing, procurement, production and reprocessing are designed and managed, as both process and output, to maximize ecosystem functioning and human well-being”.
1,641 citations