scholarly journals Towards a Circular Economy for African Islands: an Analysis of Existing Baselines and Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Andriamahefazafy ◽  
P. Failler
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Material Consumption ◽  
Sao Tome And Principe ◽  
Global North ◽  
High Level ◽  
Macarthur Foundation

AbstractIn recent years, the concept of circular economy has gained increasing attention from both businesses and governments. The African continent has started to adopt circular economy–related policies at national or regional levels, but it is not yet mainstream. Literature on circular economy has mainly focused on developed countries in the global north with limited attention given to the potential of circular economy for developing countries especially in the context of African islands. In this paper, we fill this gap by providing existing baselines regarding CE for 9 African islands and present their existing strategies that could foster the development of a circular economy. Adopting the Ellen MacArthur Foundation diagram and the ReX framework, we use different components of the combined frameworks to situate the various initiatives. We show that African islands have led an array of initiatives especially in waste management and also in regenerating natural resources. However, various challenges remain, such as the lack of national umbrella frameworks that would ensure circularity across actions. Countries with more favourable socio-economic and political contexts such as Reunion Island or Mauritius implement policies relating to a circular economy. However, these countries and others, such as Maldives or Seychelles, also have a high level of material consumption that requires changes from production to consumption stages. Countries with challenging contexts, such as Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Comoros and to a lesser extent Cabo Verde, have less dedicated policies but various dispersed activities such as using renewable energy that could contribute to circularity. Extraction of natural resources in these countries remains an important source of growth that requires a systemic change towards circularity. Embracing a circular economy presents various opportunities to African islands especially considering the blue economy agendas adopted in these islands.

Factors of the circular economy development

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-447
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Traditional Patterns ◽  
High Level ◽  
Consumption Waste

Subject. Today the circular economy is viewed as a new model of economic growth that allows overcoming resource constraints. Despite the general understanding that environmental problems are the main incentive for the transition to circular models of production and consumption, the underlying factors in the development of this economic model have not been fully studied in modern literature. Are circular production models available only to technologically highly developed rich countries, or, conversely, poverty and a total lack of resources are the best incentive for the development of a circular economy? Objectives. I study the influence of such factors as the general economic and innovative development of the country, as well as the State's innovating activity to form and develop circular models of economic growth. Methods. The research was carried out with methods of econometric modeling. Eurostat data were used as an underlying source of information. Results. The study showed that the high level of the national economic development positively influences the resource efficiency of an economy, but more advanced countries produce more waste in the consumption sector. Production and consumption waste recycling demonstrates better trends in less economically developed countries. Countries with substantial innovation expenditures tend to have more robust municipal and industrial waste recycling technologies, as well as a more effective use of secondary materials. The development of an e-waste recycling system is essentially dependent on government incentives for innovation in this area. Conclusions. The findings can be used for outlining national federal and regional programs for the development of production and consumption waste recycling mechanisms in Russia. Social entrepreneurship and business initiative may appear one of the priority mechanisms spurring the circular economy in Russia through traditional patterns of resource-saving consumer behavior.

scholarly journals The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9805
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Salas ◽  
Paulina Criollo ◽  
Angel D. Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Global North ◽  
Latin American Countries

Circular economy (CE) describes a sustainable alternative approach to the current linear economy system. It is a growing topic among scholars, practitioners, and decisionmakers; it encompasses several concepts related to sustainability and requires the synergy of multiple actors for success, including higher education institutions (HEIs) as one of the most relevant ones. Current CE is based mostly on experiences in Global North developed countries, where the concept has gained great attention and has already influenced policies and strategies. However, CE in Latin American countries (LA countries) have not yet received such attention. Thus, some “unique problems” may remain unattended, and efforts to attain a CE are more likely to fail. Likewise, the study shows how the role of HEIs in CE in LA countries has not yet been fully explored, as the literature on this topic is scarce. This paper aims to address the main research question: what is the role of HEIs in the transition to a CE in Latin American countries? For this, a two-fold methodology was performed: (i) a systematic review which allows understanding of the trends of CE research in LA and the extent of the HEIs involvement; and (ii) a narrative review, which provides insights into the state of the art of CE research (gaps, drivers, and barriers) in LA countries and how this relates to HEIs. This approach drew implications for the role of HEIs in the implementation of CE in LA countries. HEIs are key actors in this transition, contributing in several ways to the CE by collaborating with industry, assisting policy makers, building human and intellectual capital, supporting community engagement projects, influencing campus culture, linking with international CE networks, and promoting an inclusive CE discourse. This research contributes to the CE body of knowledge from a Latin-American Global South perspective by discussing the factors that aim to define the role of HEIs in the CE transition in LA countries.

scholarly journals ECONOMIA CIRCULAR: UM ESTUDO BIBLIOMÉTRICO

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
André Castilho Navarro ◽  
Denise Helena Lombardo Ferreira ◽  
Cibele Roberta Sugahara ◽  
Diego de Melo Conti
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Future Research ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Reducing Costs

O rápido crescimento populacional e o aumento do consumo têm causado desafios econômicos, ambientais e sociais para a sustentabilidade do planeta. Os efeitos da ação antrópica têm se intensificado desde a Revolução Industrial com a atribuição de um modelo econômico linear, baseado na extração e exploração dos recursos naturais, produção e disposição dos resíduos no meio ambiente. Uma abordagem contrastante com essa realidade e que vem ganhando popularidade, principalmente na última década, é a denominada Economia Circular. O estudo bibliométrico realizado nesta pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar a produção científica relacionada com o tema Economia Circular, especificamente em artigos publicados entre 2016 e 2020, proporcionando rumos e estratégias de futuras pesquisas. O estudo demonstrou um crescimento na produção científica nesse período, principalmente nos últimos dois anos, com predomínio de estudos internacionais, o que pode contribuir para a difusão do tema Economia Circular, com a finalidade de favorecer a regeneração dos recursos naturais. Entretanto, ainda existe uma lacuna muito grande entre as publicações brasileiras com relação às internacionais, o que sugere a necessidade de se investir em estudos sobre o tema, de forma a gerar conhecimentos que apoiem a aceleração na transição dos modelos lineares, engajando a economia das organizações brasileiras aos pilares do desenvolvimento sustentável de forma mais equiparada aos países desenvolvidos.  O presente estudo revelou que o tema Economia Circular vem sendo aplicado como uma prática administrativa orientada à redução de custos, melhoria da competitividade e da sustentabilidade. Palavras-Chave: Economia Circular. Sustentabilidade. Competitividade.   Abstract: The rapid population growth and increasing consumption have been causing economic, environmental and social challenges to the sustainability of the planet. The effects of anthropic action have intensified since the Industrial Revolution with the attribution of a linear economic model, based on the extraction and exploitation of natural resources, production and disposal of waste in the environment. A contrasting approach with this reality that has been gaining popularity, especially in the last decade, is the so-called Circular Economy. The bibliometric study carried out in this research aims to identify the scientific production related to the theme of Circular Economy, specifically in articles published between 2016 and 2020, providing directions and strategies for future research. The study showed a growth in scientific production in this period, mainly in the last two years, with a predominance of international studies, which can contribute to the dissemination of the Circular Economy theme, with the purpose of favoring the regeneration of natural resources. However, there is still a very large gap between Brazilian publications in relation to international ones, which suggests the need to invest in studies on the subject, in order to generate knowledge that supports the acceleration in the transition of linear models, engaging the economy of Brazilian organizations to the pillars of sustainable development in a more similar way to developed countries. This study revealed that the Circular Economy theme has been applied as an administrative practice aimed at reducing costs, improving competitiveness and sustainability. Keywords: Circular Economy. Sustainability. Competitiveness.

scholarly journals THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF ECOLOGICAL MODERNIZATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-53
Author(s):  
Anatolii STEPANENKO ◽  
◽  
Alla OMELCHENKO ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Ecological Modernization ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Directed Development ◽  
Oriented Activity ◽  
High Level

A definition of ecological modernization is given and analysis of its existing definitions is carried out. The tasks of ecological modernization, which envisage transformation of society, superindustrialization, reorientation of technologies for the restoration of ecological balance, restructuring of the economy and formation of a technological society, are outlined. The key elements of ecological modernization and its ecological imperatives are singled out. It is shown that mainly anthropocentric approaches and invariability of the priority of economic interests are traced in theoretical development of models of ecological modernization. It is highlighted that to prevent further degradation of ecosystems, a new ecocentric worldview and a high level of ecological consciousness are necessary. It is determined that the main forms of ecological modernization aimed at solving the environmental problems under conditions of limited and depleted natural resources are: environmentally directed development of industry; technological platforms of ecological development; ecologization of economic development; inplementation and development of clean production and environmental technologies. It is disclosed that in Ukraine over the past years the level of ecological modernization of the economy has increased, as evidenced by the share of capital investments in integrated technologies of the volume of capital investments for the protection and rational use of natural resources and development of the production of innovative products, including new types of machines, equipment, devices, devices. The vast majority of the integrated technology activities are not in line with the V and VI waves of innovation, not mentioning the VII, which began in highly developed countries. It is substantiated that new model of modernization of social development should include not only the change and introduction of new technologies, but also deep institutional, social and cultural transformations. It is determined that in addition to three prospects for the development of ecological modernization – eco-saving business and consumption, effective protection of the natural environment, the ecologization of society – the fourth is also possible: emancipation of nature, that is, socialization and personalization of nature. The strategic directions of ecological modernization of socio-economic development of Ukraine are proposed and its key tasks regarding the formation of a modernizing type of ecologically oriented activity of society are determined.

Digital Borders, Diasporic Flows and the Nigerian Transgender Beauty Queen Who Would Not Be Denied

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Camminga
Keyword(s):  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Beauty Pageant ◽  
Global North ◽  
Lgbt People ◽  
Tabloid Press

In 2011, Miss Sahhara, a transgender woman from Nigeria with UK refugee status, was crowned First Princess at the world’s largest and most prestigious beauty pageant for transgender women—Miss International Queen. The then Cultural Minister of Nigeria when contacted for comment responded that if she was transgender, she could not be Nigerian, and if she was Nigerian, she could not be transgender—a tacit denial of her very existence. In recent years, LGBT people “fleeing Africa” to the “Global North” has become a common media trope. Responses to this, emanating from a variety of African voices, have provided a more nuanced reading of sexuality. What has been absent from these readings has been the role of gender expression, particularly a consideration of transgender experiences. I understand transgender refugees to have taken up “lines of flight” such that, in a Deleuzian sense, they do not only flee persecution in countries of origin but also recreate or speak back to systems of control and oppressive social conditions. Some transgender people who have left, like Miss Sahhara, have not gone silently, using digital means to project a new political visibility of individuals, those who are both transgender and African, back at the African continent. In Miss Sahhara’s case, this political visibility has not gone unnoticed in the Nigerian tabloid press. Drawing on the story of Miss Sahhara, this paper maps these flows and contraflows, asking what they might reveal about configurations of nationhood, gender and sexuality as they are formed at both the digital and physical interstices between Africa and the Global North.

Australia—The Hidden Jewel

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh K. Joshi ◽  
J.R. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dutch Disease

The twenty-first century is being touted as the Asian century. With its stable economy, good governance, education system, and above all the abundant natural resources, will Australia to take its place in the global economy by becoming more entrepreneurial and accelerating its rate of growth, or will it get infected with the so-called Dutch disease? It has been successful in managing trade ties with fast-developing economies like China and India as well as developed countries like the United States. It has participated in the growth of China by providing iron ore and coal. Because it is a low-risk country, it has enabled inflow of large foreign capital investments. A lot will depend on its capability and willingness to invest the capital available in entrepreneurial ventures, its ability to capture the full value chain of natural resources, and to export the finished products instead of raw materials, while building a robust manufacturing sector.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8967
Author(s):  
Victor Gil Muñoz ◽  
Luisa M. Muneta ◽  
Ruth Carrasco-Gallego ◽  
Juan de Juanes Marquez ◽  
David Hidalgo-Carvajal
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Circular Loop ◽  
Material Supply ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Circular Economics ◽  
High Level ◽  
Additional Value

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity.

scholarly journals Strategies for a Circular Economy in the Construction and Demolition Sector: Identifying the Factors Affecting the Recommendation of Recycled Concrete

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4113
Author(s):  
Valeria Superti ◽  
Cynthia Houmani ◽  
Ralph Hansmann ◽  
Ivo Baur ◽  
Claudia R. Binder
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Recycled Concrete ◽  
Recycled Aggregates ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Structural Applications ◽  
Adoption Of Innovation ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Behavioural Factors ◽  
High Level

With increasing urbanisation, new approaches such as the Circular Economy (CE) are needed to reduce resource consumption. In Switzerland, Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste accounts for the largest portion of waste (84%). Beyond limiting the depletion of primary resources, implementing recycling strategies for C&D waste (such as using recycled aggregates to produce recycled concrete (RC)), can also decrease the amount of landfilled C&D waste. The use of RC still faces adoption barriers. In this research, we examined the factors driving the adoption of recycled products for a CE in the C&D sector by focusing on RC for structural applications. We developed a behavioural framework to understand the determinants of architects’ decisions to recommend RC. We collected and analysed survey data from 727 respondents. The analyses focused on architects’ a priori beliefs about RC, behavioural factors affecting their recommendations of RC, and project-specific contextual factors that might play a role in the recommendation of RC. Our results show that the factors that mainly facilitate the recommendation of RC by architects are: a senior position, a high level of RC knowledge and of the Minergie label, beliefs about the reduced environmental impact of RC, as well as favourable prescriptive social norms expressed by clients and other architects. We emphasise the importance of a holistic theoretical framework in approaching decision-making processes related to the adoption of innovation, and the importance of the agency of each involved actor for a transition towards a circular construction sector.

scholarly journals The Role of Simulation and Serious Games in Teaching Concepts on Circular Economy and Sustainable Energy

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Rocio de la Torre ◽  
Bhakti S. Onggo ◽  
Canan G. Corlu ◽  
Maria Nogal ◽  
Angel A. Juan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
University Management ◽  
Teaching Methodologies ◽  
The Will

The prevailing need for a more sustainable management of natural resources depends not only on the decisions made by governments and the will of the population, but also on the knowledge of the role of energy in our society and the relevance of preserving natural resources. In this sense, critical work is being done to instill key concepts—such as the circular economy and sustainable energy—in higher education institutions. In this way, it is expected that future professionals and managers will be aware of the importance of energy optimization, and will learn a series of computational methods that can support the decision-making process. In the context of higher education, this paper reviews the main trends and challenges related to the concepts of circular economy and sustainable energy. Besides, we analyze the role of simulation and serious games as a learning tool for the aforementioned concepts. Finally, the paper provides insights and discusses open research opportunities regarding the use of these computational tools to incorporate circular economy concepts in higher education degrees. Our findings show that, while efforts are being made to include these concepts in current programs, there is still much work to be done, especially from the point of view of university management. In addition, the analysis of the teaching methodologies analyzed shows that, although their implementation has been successful in favoring the active learning of students, their use (especially that of serious games) is not yet widespread.

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