The Circular Economy – A review of definitions, processes and impacts
This paper from research organization Energy Climate House (CEPS) reviews the growing literature on the circular economy with the aim of improving our understanding of the concept as well as its various dimensions and expected impacts.
On the basis of this review, it attempts to map the processes involved and their application in different sectors. The paper suggests that research on the circular economy is currently fragmented across various disciplines and there are often different perspectives and interpretations of the concept and the related aspects that need to be assessed. Finally, this paper suggests that there is limited information on the indirect effects on the economy (e.g. impacts on the value chain or changes in consumption spending patterns) as well as the social impacts of the circular economy transition.