Scoping Study to Identify Potential Circular Economy Actions, Priority Sectors, Material Flows & Value Chains

Publication: Report
Citation: Vanner, Robin et. al. 2014: Scoping study to identify potential circular economy actions, priority sectors, material flows & value chains.

The aim of the study was to provide an initial scoping assessment of potential priorities and policy options to support the transition to a circular economy in the EU. The study reviewed existing literature, identified potential priority areas for action where accelerating the circular economy would be beneficial and where EU policy has a particular role to play, and developed policy options for consideration across a range of areas.

Potential Circular Economy Actions, Priority Sectors, Material Flows, and Value Chains

Nov 2013 - Jun 2014

Languages: Spanish

French

English
Authorship: Christian Hudson

Robin Vanner (Policy Studies Institute)

Martha Bicket (Policy Studies Institute)

Sirini Withana (IEEP)

Patrick ten Brink (IEEP)

Paolo Razzini (IEEP)

Elizabeth van Dijl (IEEP)

Emma Watkins (IEEP)

Mathieu Hestin (BIO)

Adrian Tan (BIO)

Sarah Guilcher (BIO)
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research & Innovation (DG Research & Innovation), International
Year: 2014
Dimension: 78 pp.
Project: Potential Circular Economy Actions, Priority Sectors, Material Flows, and Value Chains
Project ID: 1750-44
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Structure of report
2 Understanding the circular economy
2.1 A circular economy versus a linear economy
2.2 Circular economy strategies
2.3 Circular economy "loops"
3 Barriers to a circular economy and how they can be overcome
4 Priority sectors, products, material flows and value chains
4.1 Background
4.2 Priority materials
4.3 Priority products and sectors
5 Mapping the current EU policy landscape
5.1 Current EU policies which support the circular economy
5.2 Current policies that (may) act as barriers to the circular economy
5.3 Scoping the extent to which additional action is needed
6 Case study analysis of prioritised circular economy areas
6.1 Case Study #1: Mobile phones and smart phones
6.2 Case Study #2: Metals and the transition to optimal use of steel
6.3 Case Study #3: Food supply
6.4 Case Study #4: Plastics
6.5 Factors supporting the realisation of circular economy opportunities
7 Policy options to support a circular economy in the EU
7.1 The role of regulatory instruments and approaches in encouraging circularity
7.2 Other instruments to incentivise action towards a circular economy
7.3 The role of public investment in encouraging circularity
7.4 Synthesis
8 Bibliography
9 Annexes
Keywords: Consumer Policy

Economics

Resource Conservation + Circular Economy

Further Links

ProjectHorizon 2020Measuring the IMPACTS of the Transition to the CIRCULAR Economy (CIRCULAR IMPACTS)

CIRCULAR IMPACTS will assist the EU and its policy makers in realizing the transition from its current predominantly linear economy to a circular economy, by establishing a flexible and accessible evidence base with concrete data on macro-economic, societal,... Read more

Measuring the IMPACTS of the Transition to the CIRCULAR Economy (CIRCULAR IMPACTS)

Duration: Oct 2016 - Sep 2018
Funding: European Commission, Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), International

PublicationArticleImplementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy and a key player to steer our economy towards a more circular model. However, their small size means that they face unique challenges on the path to closing loops and improving resource efficiency... Read more

Vasileios Rizos, Arno Behrens, Wytze van der Gaast, Erwin Hofman, Anastasia Ioannou, Terri Kafyeke, Alexandros Flamos, Roberto Rinaldi, Sotiris Papadelis, Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers and Corrado Topi, "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers", Sustainability 2016, 8(11), 1212, doi:10.3390/su8111212

PublicationPolicy BriefSelling Solar Services as a Contribution to a Circular Economy

The solar services sector sells the service of providing the use of solar electricity to its customer instead of selling solar PV systems (the product). This new business model can be seen as a radical innovation for the solar sector – as it is in other sectors. It is... Read more

Svatikova, K., I. Artola, S. Slingerland and S. Fischer (2015). Selling Solar Services as a Contribution to a Circular Economy. RECREATE Project Policy Brief No. 1.