scholarly journals Policy for material efficiency—sustainable taxation as a departure from the throwaway society

2013 ◽  
Vol 371 (1986) ◽  
pp. 20110567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter R Stahel
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Industrial Economy ◽  
Material Efficiency ◽  
Industrial Sectors

The present economy is not sustainable with regard to its per capita material consumption. A dematerialization of the economy of industrialized countries can be achieved by a change in course, from an industrial economy built on throughput to a circular economy built on stock optimization, decoupling wealth and welfare from resource consumption while creating more work. The business models of a circular economy have been known since the mid-1970s and are now applied in a number of industrial sectors. This paper argues that a simple and convincing lever could accelerate the shift to a circular economy, and that this lever is the shift to a tax system based on the principles of sustainability: not taxing renewable resources including human labour—work—but taxing non-renewable resources instead is a powerful lever. Taxing materials and energies will promote low-carbon and low-resource solutions and a move towards a ‘circular’ regional economy as opposed to the ‘linear’ global economy requiring fuel-based transport for goods throughput. In addition to substantial improvements in material and energy efficiency, regional job creation and national greenhouse gas emission reductions, such a change will foster all activities based on ‘caring’, such as maintaining cultural heritage and natural wealth, health services, knowledge and know-how.

scholarly journals Global energy security and international economic development

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
General Functioning

Energy security is at the top of the international political and economic agenda due to its importance for the economic and social development of individual countries, for relations between them, for the global economy and the environment. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine an area where countries are more interdependent than at the confluence of energy, environment, and economic development. Energy security has implications for domestic and foreign policy. This means the interdependence between producer and consumer, where mutual vulnerability and a win-win opportunity are short-term and long-term. The work systematizes the types of energy with the goal of sustainable development: the balance of economic, social, and environmental components, through a model of a circular economy, which allows achieving energy security. The first step is switching from carbon-based energy (oil, gas, coal) to clean energy (solar, wind, hydropower, etc.). However, it is also important to act on the principle of energy efficiency, which is to measure the difference between the actually used energy and the total energy consumed (often higher due to losses). The principle of the circular economy of achieving the most efficient use of resources is the most essential for the development of innovative solutions aimed at the transition to clean energy. Having studied the various approaches by comparison and analogy, we can conclude that the Concept of the circular economy offers effective business models to ensure environmentally friendly resource use, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals of society. The article used historical and statistical methods, as well as a system approach to the study of economic phenomena, which helped to identify the relationship between all elements and their roles in the general functioning of the circular economy. Using the method of comparison and scientific modeling, the role of the circular economy in resource-saving, minimizing waste and reducing pressure on the environment is revealed, while achieving significant economic and social results in energy security.

scholarly journals Circular Economy in Low-Carbon Transition

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 8061
Author(s):  
Anna Mazzi ◽  
Jingzheng Ren
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Modern Business

The circular economy represents a fundamental pillar for modern business models and sustainable development targets: the mandatory claim “reduce, reuse, recycle” is the answer to the global criticalities of natural resources depletion and waste increase [...]

scholarly journals Material Efficiency design strategies for the circular transition

2021 ◽  
pp. 86-95
Author(s):  
Ilaria Montella ◽  
Paola Marrone
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
Material Efficiency ◽  
History Of ◽  
Circular Design

The history of lightness might not only recount aeroplanes and low-density materials, it might also speak of a need for dematerialisation consistent with the control of resource consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Following the Paris Agreement, carbon neutrality policies had initially focused on mitigation actions for energy efficiency and low-carbon sources. Although crucial for the materials industry, other strategies, especially on the demand side, are possible to reduce their production. In the context of the circular economy applied to the built environment, Material Efficiency (ME) constitutes a set of actions for circular design for which functions, configurations and construction processes need to be reinvented.

scholarly journals Eco-Holonic 4.0 Circular Business Model to Conceptualize Sustainable Value Chain towards Digital Transition

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1889
Author(s):  
María Jesús Ávila-Gutiérrez ◽  
Alejandro Martín-Gómez ◽  
Francisco Aguayo-González ◽  
Juan Ramón Lama-Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Sustainable Value

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a circular business model based on an Eco-Holonic Architecture, through the integration of circular economy and holonic principles. A conceptual model is developed to manage the complexity of integrating circular economy principles, digital transformation, and tools and frameworks for sustainability into business models. The proposed architecture is multilevel and multiscale in order to achieve the instantiation of the sustainable value chain in any territory. The architecture promotes the incorporation of circular economy and holonic principles into new circular business models. This integrated perspective of business model can support the design and upgrade of the manufacturing companies in their respective industrial sectors. The conceptual model proposed is based on activity theory that considers the interactions between technical and social systems and allows the mitigation of the metabolic rift that exists between natural and social metabolism. This study contributes to the existing literature on circular economy, circular business models and activity theory by considering holonic paradigm concerns, which have not been explored yet. This research also offers a unique holonic architecture of circular business model by considering different levels, relationships, dynamism and contextualization (territory) aspects.

Opportunities for the Circular Economy in Smart Cities

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-35
Author(s):  
Ron Schipper ◽  
Gilbert Silvius
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Integrate Technology ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Common Variable

Our current global economy is based on the linear flow of material and energy at a speed faster than earth can regenerate its services. A logical answer is reversing this into a circular economy, implemented through Circular Business Models (CBM). While cities count for the majority of current and future inhabitants, consumption and negative externalities people presume the CE should play an important role in coping with its challenges. To maintain urban livability, there is another emerging city strategy. That is to integrate technology in the urban domain and make a city “smart.” This development questions how digitization can also leverage CBM in the smart city area. However, little research is known on this topic. This article therefore studies the relationship between the circular economy and a circular smart city by exploring digital technology as a common variable. The authors first conceptualize the possibilities to enhance CBM by digital technology and then apply concept mapping to determine if and which CBM have greatest possibility to flourish in a circular smart city context.

scholarly journals Circular Economy Performance Assessment

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
Roberto Rocca ◽  
Claudio Sassanelli ◽  
Paolo Rosa ◽  
Sergio Terzi
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
New Business ◽  
Efficient Recovery ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Key Enabling Technologies

AbstractThe main aim of the FENIX project is the development of new business models and industrial strategies for three novel supply chains in order to enable value-added product-services. Through a set of success stories coming from the application of circular economy principles in different industrial sectors, FENIX wants to demonstrate in practice the real benefits coming from its adoption. In addition, Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) will be integrated within the selected processes to improve the efficient recovery of secondary resources. This chapter focuses on the definition of a novel Circular Economy Performance Assessment (CEPA) methodology to be adopted within the FENIX project. This implementation activity has been done into two steps. From one side, a state-of-the-art analysis of existing CE methodologies and related KPIs has been executed and the most common circularity assessment methods (and KPIs) have been identified. Subsequently, a totally new CEPA methodology has been developed starting from the findings coming from the literature. This methodology, together with classic LCA and LCC methods, will be exploited for the quantitative assessment of CBMs.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

scholarly journals Circular Bioeconomy Business Models to Overcome the Valley of Death. A Systematic Statistical Analysis of Studies and Projects in Emerging Bio-Based Technologies and Trends Linked to the SME Instrument Support

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1899
Author(s):  
Fabiana Gatto ◽  
Ilaria Re
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Strategic Orientations ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Valley Of Death

Reducing the environmental pressure along the products life cycle, increasing efficiency in the consumption of resources and use of renewable raw materials, and shifting the economic system toward a circular and a climate-neutral model represent the heart of the current macro-trends of the European Union (EU) policy agendas. The circular economy and bioeconomy concepts introduced in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the Bioeconomy Strategy support innovation in rethinking economic systems focusing on market uptaking of greener solutions based on less-intensive resource consumption. In recent decades, industrial research has devoted enormous investments to demonstrate sustainable circular bio-based business models capable of overcoming the “Valley of Death” through alternative strategic orientations of “technological-push” and “market-pull”. The study highlights industrial research’s evolution on bio-based circular business model validation, trends, and topics with particular attention to the empowering capacity of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to close the loops in renewable biological use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The research methodology involves a bibliographic search based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Data Hub investigation to understand SMEs’ key success factors and start-ups of the circular bioeconomy sector. Eco and bio-based materials, nutraceuticals, and microalgae represent the most sustainable industry applications, leading to circular bioeconomy business models’ future perspective.

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