Global consumption patterns far exceed the world’s natural limits because economic growth is largely linked to the ever-greater consumption of natural resources. A circular economy is one in which this consumption is decoupled from economic growth and a non-linear approach to creating value emerges.
You need to know how a circular economy functions. We can help you understand the economic implications of extracting value from raw materials, products and waste, reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.
Our analysis can also shed light on how improving resource efficiency, coupled with the recycling and re-use of resources and products, can reduce the environmental impact of economic activity. It can highlight the direct implications of circular economy policies (for recycling and waste sectors) as well as the direct and indirect rebound effects.
Some challenging questions we can help you answer:
- What is the socioeconomic impact of the introduction of specific circular economy policies, such as those which encourage participation in the sharing economy?
- How might resource efficiency policy impact on the costs faced by industry?
- How are GHG emissions affected by such policy?
Circular Economy blog posts
What do our economic models tell us about green growth?
What do our economic models tell us about green growth?
Is it really possible to keep on consuming more and more, while still respecting societal and environmental boundaries?
Will the future be one of green growth (the economy grows while resource use falls) or degrowth (economic growth is constrained in order to reduce envir…
Jobs: winners and losers in the circular economy transition
Jobs: winners and losers in the circular economy transition
Here Unnada Chewpreecha, explores why many studies overestimate the positive job impacts of the transition.
The complex interaction between sectors and regions and between different economic, environmental, material, energy and labour market indicators is often overlooked.
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Plastics in a circular economy
Plastics in a circular economy
Are bioplastics the best solution for sustainable packaging in a circular economy? Is biodegradable or bio-based material ‘greener’ than multiple use plastics?
Conflicts with food production and an increase in the use of fertilisers and pesticides are not the only concern, ana…