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Decoupling or ‘Decaffing’? The Underlying Conceptualization of Circular Economy in the European Union Monitoring Framework

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  • Leandro Javier Llorente-González

    (ICEDE Research Group, Applied Economy Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain)

  • Xavier Vence

    (ICEDE Research Group, Applied Economy Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain)

Abstract

In recent years, the shift to a circular economy (CE) has become an increasingly important component of the European Union’s development strategy. However, no consensus has yet been reached on the depth of the transformation this implies, nor on the most appropriate strategy for its measurement. In 2018, the European Commission presented a monitoring framework to evaluate the progress made in this transition, focused on the priority objectives of the European strategy for the CE. This article aims to discuss the conceptualization of the CE behind the selection and interpretation of the metrics proposed by the commission. It is argued that the chosen indicators are mostly concerned with material self-sufficiency and recycling, neglecting other dimensions of the concept more closely related to systemic change. Moreover, some issues that are relevant from a CE perspective, such as the disparate distribution of recyclable material flows among EU Member States in terms of value and environmental impact, are overlooked in the interpretation of the available information. Consequently, a more ambitious and diverse selection of metrics is suggested to reflect the wider socio-economic and environmental objectives of the CE, thus preventing the dissemination of a limited version of the concept.

Suggested Citation

  • Leandro Javier Llorente-González & Xavier Vence, 2019. "Decoupling or ‘Decaffing’? The Underlying Conceptualization of Circular Economy in the European Union Monitoring Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-21, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4898-:d:265106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Avdiushchenko & Paweł Zając, 2019. "Circular Economy Indicators as a Supporting Tool for European Regional Development Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, May.
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    4. Alan Murray & Keith Skene & Kathryn Haynes, 2017. "The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 369-380, February.
    5. Trevor Zink & Roland Geyer, 2017. "Circular Economy Rebound," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 593-602, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Reni Pantcheva, 2023. "Circular Use of Materials: Drivers of the Circularity Rate in the European Union," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 148-161.
    2. Marie Briguglio & Leandro J. Llorente-González & Christopher Meilak & Ángeles Pereira & Jonathan Spiteri & Xavier Vence, 2021. "Born or Grown: Enablers and Barriers to Circular Business in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    3. John Rincón-Moreno & Marta Ormazabal & Maria J. Álvarez & Carmen Jaca, 2020. "Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Vítor Domingues Martinho & Paulo Reis Mourão, 2020. "Circular Economy and Economic Development in the European Union: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-25, September.
    5. Alessandro Muscio & Roberta Sisto, 2020. "Are Agri-Food Systems Really Switching to a Circular Economy Model? Implications for European Research and Innovation Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Xavier Vence & Sugey de Jesus López Pérez, 2021. "Taxation for a Circular Economy: New Instruments, Reforms, and Architectural Changes in the Fiscal System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.

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