Policy framework for implementation of a circular economy in Croatia: Past, present, and future

Abstract

This work aims to shed light on the evolution of the national policy framework in Croatia in its transition to circular economy (CE), and provide a better understanding of how Croatia stands in its transition to CE. The methodology employed in this research involves a systematic analysis of policy programmes, initiatives, and actions regarding Croatia’s transition to CE since 1991. This has resulted in a list of 31 policy documents, mainly laws, action plans, and policy proposals, grouped according to the eight components of the European Green Deal. Institutional stakeholders, funding opportunities, and CE performance are also discussed in order to complement the descriptions of the policy framework. The main contribution of this research is the insight it offers into the history of CE policy development in Croatia, which can be roughly divided into four phases, starting from environmental protection in the 1990s and moving towards a more dedicated approach to CE that recently emerged in policy agendas during 2019 and 2020, mostly due to European initiatives and regulations. Progress is expected to emerge as a result of external factors, primarily European programmes such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), which demand clearly defined priorities and elaborated projects.