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Circular Economy and the Transition to a Sustainable Society: Integrated Assessment Methods for a New Paradigm

Author

Listed:
  • Mariana Oliveira

    (Parthenope University of Napoli)

  • Mécia Miguel

    (University of Sheffield
    Group Sustainability HSE&Q)

  • Sven Kevin Langen

    (Parthenope University of Napoli
    Olympia Electronics)

  • Amos Ncube

    (Parthenope University of Napoli)

  • Amalia Zucaro

    (Portici Research Centre)

  • Gabriella Fiorentino

    (Portici Research Centre)

  • Renato Passaro

    (Parthenope University of Napoli)

  • Remo Santagata

    (Parthenope University of Napoli)

  • Nick Coleman

    (Group Sustainability HSE&Q)

  • Benjamin H. Lowe

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Sergio Ulgiati

    (Parthenope University of Napoli
    Beijing Normal University)

  • Andrea Genovese

    (University of Sheffield)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Oliveira & Mécia Miguel & Sven Kevin Langen & Amos Ncube & Amalia Zucaro & Gabriella Fiorentino & Renato Passaro & Remo Santagata & Nick Coleman & Benjamin H. Lowe & Sergio Ulgiati & Andrea Ge, 2021. "Circular Economy and the Transition to a Sustainable Society: Integrated Assessment Methods for a New Paradigm," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:1:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s43615-021-00019-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-021-00019-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Saidani & François Cluzel & Yann Leroy & Daniela Pigosso & Mariia Kravchenko & Harrison Kim, 2022. "Nexus Between Life Cycle Assessment, Circularity and Sustainability Indicators—Part II: Experimentations," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    2. Michael Saidani & Harrison Kim, 2022. "Nexus Between Life Cycle Assessment, Circularity, and Sustainability Indicators—Part I: a Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    3. Seeram Ramakrishna & Wayne Hu & Rajan Jose, 2023. "Sustainability in Numbers by Data Analytics," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    4. Purvis, Ben & Genovese, Andrea, 2023. "Better or different? A reflection on the suitability of indicator methods for a just transition to a circular economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    5. Eirini Kaminioti & Constantina Kottaridi & Claire Economidou, 2022. "Bioeconomy and Corporate GRI Reporting: a Case Study Analysis," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    6. Maione, A. & Massarotti, N. & Santagata, R. & Ulgiati, S. & Vanoli, L., 2023. "Integrated environmental accounting of a geothermal grid," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    7. S. Karagianni & M. Pempetzoglou, 2022. "The Income Distribution Impact of Decarbonization in Greece: an Initial Approach," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    8. Pinaki Dasgupta & Vivek Kumar & Anushree Malik & Madan Kumar, 2023. "Wastewater Treatment Systems for City-Based Municipal Drains for Achieving Sustainability," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.

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