"The extensive use of natural resources threatens to exceed the carrying capacity of the Earth. The concept of a circular economy offers an avenue to sustainable growth, good health and decent jobs, while saving the environment and its natural resources. Further, the change from a linear economy (take, make, dispose) to a circular economy (renew, remake, share) is expected to support significantly the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production. So far, however, the coverage of the health implications of a transition...

"This is the third in a series of reports on the circular economy in support of the framing, implementation and evaluation of European circular economy policy from an environmental perspective. The two previous reports applied a systemic approach to framing a circular economy and to the products within it. This report on the bioeconomy addresses circularity aspects of bio-based products and the sustainable use of renewable natural resources." (https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/circular-economy-and-...

"Circular economy (CE) is gaining popularity at different levels with the promise of creating more sustainable processes. In this context, cities are implementing a number of initiatives that aim to turn them into sustainable circular systems. Whether these initiatives achieve their sustainability goals, however, is largely unknown. Nevertheless, as the application of CE strategies is actively encouraged by many policies across the globe, there is a need to quantify the environmental impacts and to identify the strategies that support urban sustainability. This paper analyses the extent to...

"Circular City Governance - An explorative research study into current barriers and governance practices in circular city transitions across Europe presents the results of an empirical research study carried out by a team of the Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands), commissioned by the EIB. The research activities ran from October to December 2017. The main objective of the study was to support the EIB and other members of the UAPCE involved in the working group on “Circular City Governance” (CCG) with the identification, analysis and elaboration of...

"This study assesses the business environment affecting the collaborative economy across six themes (accommodation, transport, finance, public administration, business support and alignment) in the 28 EU Member States. The study has established indicators to measure the main features affecting the development of the collaborative economy. It has developed a “Collaborative Economy Index” to benchmark the business environment. Based on the Index results, the study puts forward suggestions for the further development of the collaborative economy in the EU. The study concludes that there is no...

"The circular economy concept is much discussed in the European Union (EU), but only limited progress has been accomplished so far regarding its implementation. Most scholarly studies blame this on various technological barriers. Our work rebuts these studies. We present the first large-N-study on circular economy barriers in the EU (208 survey respondents, 47 expert interviews). We find that cultural barriers, particularly a lack of consumer interest and awareness as well as a hesitant company culture, are considered the main circular economy barriers by businesses and policy-makers....

This study aims to answer three main research tasks:

- Identify key succes factors as wel as issues hindering the development of industrial symbiosis
- Assess policy actions that support industrial symbiosis at different levels
- Assess the feasibility and options of EU-level interventions to contribute to scaling up and promoting IS initiatives across Europe or an EU-level trading platform for secondary raw materials (p. 10)

"“Towards a Model of Circular Economy for Italy - Overview and Strategic Framework” is a document that defines Italy’s strategic positioning on the issue in line with the commitments adopted under the Paris Agreement, UN Agenda 2030, G7 Communiqué and within EU. The document calls for a "change of paradigm" for Italy's economy, for a new way to consume, produce and do business. There is a need for a new industrial policy aimed at sustainability and innovation capable of increasing the competitiveness of products and manufacturing. Considering the importance of the document, the Italian...

"Circular Flanders is the hub and the inspiration for the Flemish circular economy. It is a partnership of governments, companies, civil society, and the knowledge community that will take action together. These organisations are the core of our partnership. Each one has committed to carrying out a specific action." (https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/kick-off_...)

"Germany had an early start on its pathway towards a more efficient and sustainable growth. During the last decades, it developed ambitious energy, industrial, and environmental policies at the national level and played a very strong role in these areas at the European level. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the country’s strong  environmental  framework  makes  Germany  a  pioneer  in  sustainable development, which shows that a more efficient and low-carbon economy is compatible with growth (OECD, 2012). Germany’s National Strategy for...