Sustainability Narratives as Transformative Solution Pathways: Zooming in on the Circular Economy

Abstract

The circular economy can be understood as one of the sustainability narratives (along with, e.g., the bioeconomy, the green economy and the sharing economy), currently relevant in academia, business and policymaking. Sustainability narratives are characterized by a distinctive set of transferable and scalable solutions, addressing resource/services use and distribution in social-ecological-technical systems. Core solutions in the circular economy are technologically-driven improvements towards reductions of inputs/outputs in production and consumption systems. However, the conceptual diversity of the circular economy is such that it can, like other sustainability narratives, serve multiple sustainability discourses (e.g., ecological modernization, sustainable development and degrowth). In order to cater to societal needs within the planet’s biophysical boundaries, the contribution of the circular economy needs to be strengthened in regard to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems and to the just distribution of resources, opportunities and prosperity. Socio-cultural change should be understood as complementary to technology- and private sector-driven solutions. While circular economy principles are meant to be translated into tailored micro- and macro- level strategies based on context-specific characteristics and needs, the causal connections between units or geographical regions are a crucial issue for sustainability. The overall co-evolution and harmonization of multiple narratives towards coherent sustainability pathways should strive towards decreasing dependence on fossil resources, reversing biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation and enabling a quality life for all people. The conclusions of this article provide key points that can further guide analyses and implementation of the circular economy in the context of sustainability transformations.

A Critical Appraisal of Review Studies in Circular Economy: a Tertiary Study

“…Several of these technologies have been identified as related to the CE [49], and sometimes adopting CE implies using disruptive technologies [7]. The main solutions in the CE field are technologically driven [39]. These technologies are used for different purposes like tracking materials in reverse logistics processes, and planning machine loadings, controlling production flows, and vehicle routing, scheduling deliveries, and monitoring vehicle movements [86].…”

“…There are models that define from 7Rs to 10Rs principles, but they are less used [38]. The 10Rs model includes refuse, reduce, resell/reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle, recover, and remine [39]. The reduction principle aims to minimize the input of primary energy, raw materials, and waste, by increasing the efficiency in production and consumption, which can be achieved by introducing better technologies.…”

Economic Shock and Agri-Sector: Post-COVID-19 Scenario in India

“…In recent days, global media have broadcast images of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from several states traveling miles and miles on highways; some have traveled more than 1,000 km to return to their home villages. Both cash transfers and nutritious food should be provided [18,27,[49][50][51].…”

Digital Technology and Social Innovation Promoting a Green Citizenship: Development of the “Go Sustainable Living” Digital Application

“…Sustainability science is referred to complex problems and finding transformative solutions for the long-term prosperity of the biosphere, human societies, and their economies. It has been established as normative, transdisciplinary, systemic, and ontologically rich, encompassing socio-technical transitions at all dimensions of human and nonhuman life and wellbeing [45].…”

“…Socio-technical transitions require technological innovations, the success of which depends on the specific environments and their dynamics they are developed in. When these sociotechnical transitions are embedded in digital tools, they can contribute to the sustainability of production-consumption domain in specific socio-technical areas, such as energy, waste, and food systems [45].…”