Accounting for a forest-based circular economy in an Alpine collective ownership

This paper aims to investigate forms of circularity within an Alpine collective ownership (CO) while conceptualising the extent to which accounting can contribute to moving the CO towards more circular economy practices. This work is based on a qualitative field study of an Alpine CO in Italy (referred to as Alpha), with semi-structured interviews conducted from November 2018 to November 2022. The study is supplemented by a content analysis of 189 internal and external documents from COs published from 2013 to 2021. The results of the analysis illuminate the co-existence of two forms of circularity within the Alpha case: network-based and forest-based circularity. Network-based circularity involves social networks, cooperation, and coordination among different institutions/associations with the same intended purpose – to support the local community and territory in terms of relationships and networks. Forest-based circularity refers to sustainable sourcing and yields, optimising the cascading use and recycling of wood. The paper reflects on the role of accounting in COs, proposing accounting indicators that could foster more circular practices within this specific context.HIGHLIGHTSTwo dimensions of circularity exist in the Alpine CO setting, network-based and forest-based.Network based circularity is present when cooperation and coordination among different institutions oriented to a collective purpose occur in daily practice.Forest-based circularity refers to sustainable sourcing and yield, optimising cascading use, and recycling wood.The role of accounting in Alpine COs is helpful in transforming their economic models into bio-based circular economies.The proposed indicators should encourage COs to transform their models into bio-based circular models where resources are reallocated to the communities and forests, thus fostering sustainable development in the territories.