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The economic returns of circular economy practices

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Antonioli

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Ferrara and SEEDS – Centre for Sustainability, Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies)

  • Claudia Ghisetti

    (Università degli studi di Milano Bicocca)

  • Massimiliano Mazzanti

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Ferrara and SEEDS – Centre for Sustainability, Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies)

  • Francesco Nicolli

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Ferrara and SEEDS – Centre for Sustainability, Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies)

Abstract

Assessing the economic consequences of sustainable production choices aimed at reducing environmental negative externalities is crucial for policy making, in light of the increasing interest and awareness experienced in the recent EU policy packages (Circular Economy package; European Green Deal and Recovery Fund to support sustainable transition). This assessment is one of the goal of the current work, which tries to provide new empirical evidence on the economic returns of such choices, drawing on previous literature on the underlying determinants of greener production choices, which are stated to differ from standard technological innovations as they are subject to a knowledge and an environmental externality. Using an original dataset on about 3000 Italian manufacturing firms we provide evidence on the relations among innovations related to the Circular Economy concept and economic outcome in the short run. The evidence shows that in the short run it is difficult to obtain economic gains, especially for the SMEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Antonioli & Claudia Ghisetti & Massimiliano Mazzanti & Francesco Nicolli, 2022. "The economic returns of circular economy practices," Working Papers 2022.05, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    • Handle: RePEc:fem:femwpa:2022.05
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. £ukasz Ma³ys, 2023. "The approach to supply chain cooperation in the implementation of sustainable development initiatives and company’s economic performance," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 18(1), pages 255-286, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Circular Economy; Sustainable Production; Environmental Innovation; Economic Effect;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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