Circular Economy as strategic material policies at EAERE 2025

At the EAERE 2025 Annual Conference, Julie Metta (Tilburg University) presented her research titled “Beyond protectionism: Circular Economy policies as a geopolitical strategy for sufficiency and equity”. Co-authored with colleagues from PBL and TiU, the study examines how circular economy policies can serve as a strategic alternative to rising protectionist trade measures in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.

Using the enhanced CGE model Green-R—which integrates material intensity, the study simulates how CE-focused instruments affect global material flows, trade patterns, environmental impacts, and equity outcomes. The results suggest that CE policies can enhance strategic autonomy, reduce material dependency, and support global sustainability—without the regressive side effects of protectionist tools like import tariffs.

The presentation was part of a thematic session on “Policies to Support a Sustainable Circular Economy”, co-organized by Eugenie Joltreau and supported by the sister Horizon Europe projects CIRCOMOD and CircEUlar. The session brought together complementary work by Miao Dai on optimal recycling incentives for critical raw materials, Darius Corbier on repair policy impacts in Japan, and Eugénie Joltreau on a novel framework for CE —highlighting the synergies between environmental goals, circular strategies, and economic resilience.