Why traceability matters for materials supply chain resilience
This article has been prepared by Jack Barrie, Lead of the Global Material Collaboration, World Economic Forum, and Janez Potocnik, founder of Systemiq the partner in CIRCOMOD and Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel. The recent effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz illustrates how dependent modern economies are on complex, often poorly understood materi
Maximizing eco-industrial parks’ positive outcomes to support regional circular economy transition
Authors: Juliano Araujo and Alejandro Arias Castillo, Institute for Industrial Ecology at Pforzheim University. Circular Economy (CE) can be understood across multiple system levels. According to (Kirchherr et al., 2017), CE operates at the micro level (products, firms and consumers), meso level (eco-industrial parks and industrial networks), and macro level (cities
Reflections on the European Circular Economy Act: The case for a systemic approach
3 November 2025 – by Janez Potočnik, Systemiq, Co‑Chair of the UNEP International Resource Panel This article was originally published in the Systems Transformation Hub. Europe has finally grasped what should have been obvious: a circular economy is not optional, it is essential for prosperity, security, and resilience. As President von der Leyen emphas
Building a circular future: How policies, measures, and models can drive the Green Transition
By Patricia Fortes, NOVA University of Lisbon, and Marianne Zanon Zotin, Utrecht University The words circular economy are now everywhere, from policy speeches in Brussels to sustainability pledges by global companies. But what does it really mean to move away from a “take–make–dispose” model, and how can this transition help us tackle climate change? The [&he
Fully possible to make residential construction more environmentally friendly
Greenhouse gas emissions from residential construction in West Asia and North Africa can be significantly reduced. This was the conclusion of the study by Şahin Akın, Fabio Carrer, Edgar Hertwich, our colleagues from NTNU. This article is a reprint from EurekAlert highlight published in July 2025. The scientific article is “Future resource efficiency scenari
Incentivizing repair over replacement in Japan: the role of economic incentives and lifestyle changes
Darius Corbier, Junior Scientist, Fondazione CMCC – Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment With high levels of waste generation, large volumes of waste being incinerated, and a high dependency on primary material imports, focusing only on the “3R” approach is insufficient for J
Changing consumers’ habits through lifestyle changes and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes : an application to Japan
Darius Corbier, Junior Scientist, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment Japan’s efforts to transition to a circular economy have been shaped by decades of challenges—ranging from limited landfill capacity and environmental issues to the need to reduce resource consumption for enhanced economic security. Although the Basic Act for Establishin
Circular Economy and Broad Prosperity: Can sustainability go hand-in-hand with well-being?
This article is prepared by Asel Doranova, Tilburg University In recent years, the concept of a circular economy (CE) has moved to the forefront of policy, academic, and business discussions. Touted as a transformative pathway to sustainability, Circular Economy challenges the traditional “take-make-dispose” model by promoting practices that keep resources
Circular Economy Profiles for communicating CIRCOMOD results to a wider audience
This article has been prepared by Marina Haug, from the Institute for Industrial Ecology (INEC), Pforzheim University The transition to a circular economy (CE) can be a key strategy for mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development. However, translating complex scientific findings into actionable insights for policymakers, businesses, and the general
Understanding Consumer Behavior in the Circular Economy: Insights from CIRCOMOD survey
This blog article has been prepared by our colleagues from NTNU, Altamash Bashir and Christian Klöckner, who conducted the survey among consumers in Germany, India, Italy, and South Africa. Promoting a circular economy (CE) is a strategy that promises a paradigm shift towards sustainable societies. CE encourages waste minimization and efficient resource management th