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photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
A circular economy (CE), also referred to as circularity, is a model of resource production and consumption in any economy that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. The concept aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution by emphasizing the design-based implementation of the three base principles of the model. The main three principles required for the transformation to a circular economy are: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Circular economy is defined in contradistinction to the traditional linear economy. The idea and concepts of a circular economy have been studied extensively in academia, business, and government over the past ten years. It has been gaining popularity because it can help to minimize carbon emissions and the consumption of raw materials, open up new market prospects, and, principally, increase the sustainability of consumption. At a government level, a circular economy is viewed as a method of combating global warming, as well as a facilitator of long-term growth. Circular economy may geographically connect actors and resources to stop material loops at the regional level. In its core principle, the European Parliament defines the circular economy as "a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended." Global implementation of circular economy can reduce global emissions by 22.8 billion tons, equivalent to 39% of global emissions produced in 2019. By implementing circular economy strategies in five sectors alone: cement, aluminum, steel, plastics, and food 9.3 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent (equal to all current emissions from transportation), can be reduced. In a circular economy, business models play a crucial role in enabling the shift from linear to circular processes. Various business models have been identified that support circularity, including product-as-a-service, sharing platforms, and product life extension models, among others. These models aim to optimize resource utilization, reduce waste, and create value for businesses and customers alike, while contributing to the overall goals of the circular economy. Businesses can also make the transition to the circular economy, where holistic adaptations in firms' business models are needed. The implementation of circular economy principles often requires new visions and strategies and a fundamental redesign of product concepts, service offerings, and channels towards long-life solutions, resulting in the so-called 'circular business models'. Source: Wikipedia (en)
Works about circular economy 18
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The EIB Circular Economy Guide - Supporting the circular transition
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Circular Economy Overview 2020
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EIB energy lending policy: Supporting the energy transformation
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The Joint Initiative on Circular Economy
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The virtuous circle
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La BEI en Belgique en 2018
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Ex-post evaluation of the EIB’s Energy Lending Criteria, 2013-2017
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The EIB Circular Economy Guide - Supporting the circular transition (2019)
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The circular economy: a user's guide
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The 15 circular steps for cities
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A Guide to the Statistical Treatment of Energy Performance Contracts
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Från värdekedja till värdecykel - så får Sverige en mer cirkulär ekonomi
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Financing of Urban Energy Efficiency and Small-scale Renewable Energy Investments in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region
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EIB Energy Lending Criteria (2013)
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Evaluation of Cross-border TEN projects
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EIB Financing of Energy Projects in the EU and in CEE countries
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The Western European Gas Market, Future Gas Infrastructure in Western Europe
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Circular Startup Index
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