The implementation of the circular economy will entail a major transformation from a resource-destroying, linear economy to a circular one that operates within the planet’s regenerative boundaries. This book presents an interim assessment of the implementation of a circular economy in the EU. It reveals what achievements have been made in various EU institutions, but which are scarcely perceived by the public; which basic scientific principles can be applied in this context; and what NGOs are demanding beyond this progress. It provides convincing arguments for abandoning the “hamster wheel” of material-based satisfaction of our needs, and shows that the primacy of the economy stands in the way of a good life for all. Given its focus, it will appeal to everyone interested in an ecologically sustainable economic system.
Author(s): Sepp Eisenriegler
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 252
City: Cham
Preface
Contents
Contributors
Introduction
References
Representatives of the EU Institutions
History of the Circular Economy. The Historic Development of Circularity and the Circular Economy
The Historic Development
The Pioneering Phase of the CIE
A Caring Motivation and Industrialisation of Stock Management Characterise the CIE
The ‘Inherent Locality’ and a Broad Set of External Trends Are Driving the CIE
The Future of the CIE
The Performance Economy as the Peak of the CIE
The Choice Between Throughput and Stock Management
References
Economic Futures. The Circular Economy Surfs a Wave of Change. But Can It Be Part of Changing the Wave? What Is Implied by the Slogan ‘Regenerative by Design’?
References
Money Makes the World Go ′round?
The Processes Regarding the Circular Economy in the European Parliament and Related Issues, Discussions, Activities and Challenges—A Personal Approach
Circular Economy—Why Now?
The Challenges of European Decision-Making
Backdrop to the Circular Economy Debate: Is Less Regulation Always Better?
The European Parliament’s Report on Resource Efficiency and Moving Towards Circular Economy
The Importance of Design
Getting Rid of Waste
Sustainable Buildings
How Do We Measure Progress: The Importance of Indicators
The European Commission Action Plan: A Lot of Good but Falling Short of the Challenge
A Challenge to Be Addressed: Sustainable Finance
Conclusions
The Importance of the Circular Economy Model. Accelerating the Transition to a Circular Economy Model Is Not an Option, but a Mandatory Decision
Will EU Circular Economy Policies Lead Us to Sustainable Development? A Viewpoint from an Environmental NGO Perspective
How Does the EEB Engage in the Policy Debate at EU Level?
What Challenges Do We Face in the Circular Economy Policy Debate Today?
Where Will We Be in 2025?
References
Consumer Protection Representatives
Possibilities for and Limitations to Consumer Action in the Circular Economy. Perspectives on Prolonging the Use Period for Durable Consumer Goods
Introduction and Overview
Methodology
Online Survey
Qualitative Interviews
Wishes and Expectations of Consumers
Product-Specific Utilization Practices
Type of Use
Repair
Reuse
Factors that End the Use Period
Product Defects
Perceived Aging of Products
Moves
Significance of a Longer Use Period for Consumers
Individual Ramifications
Societal Ramifications
Consumer Policy Measures to Prolong the Use Period for Products
Consumer Education and Information
Regulatory and Tax Changes
Measures by Companies
Consumers in the Circular Economy: Conclusions and Outlook
References
Representatives of Science
Slower Cycles: An Essential Characteristic of the Circular Economy
Origins
Recycling and Consumption
The Inadequacy of Closing the Loop
Interest in Product Longevity
Research and Policy Developments
Consumer Expectations, Information and Labelling
Product Standards, Guarantees, Maintenance and Repair
Increased Product Lifetimes and the Economy
Conclusion
Bibliography
Circular Economy: Slowing Resource Flows and Increasing Value
Why Slow Consumption Is Needed in the Circular Economy
Slowing Resource Loops
How Would a World of ‘Sufficiency’ Work in Practice?
What Could Businesses Do?
Better—Not Newer
Future Business Efforts: Experiment and Collaborate
Concluding Thoughts: How Could Policies Support Slow Consumption?
References
Beyond the Green Economy. The Imperial Mode of Living as Major Barrier for a Circular Economy
The Power of the Linear Economy
The Imperial Mode of Living as Basis of the Linear Economy in Historical Perspective
New Perspectives on Unsustainability
What the Imperial Mode of Living Adds
References
The Energy, Resource and Lifestyles Transitions Go Hand in Hand: Insights from the meetPASS Project
Introduction
The Challenge: Reaching Climate and Environmental Goals
Business as Usual Is Not an Option
Three Transitions Needed to Meet the Climate and Sustainable Development Targets
Energy Transition
Resource Transition
Lifestyles Transition
The Impact on Planet and Prosperity
The Resulting Decarbonisation
Economic Implications
Summary and Conclusions
References
Obsolescence, Useful Life Extension and New Educational Concepts: The Economy Needs Repair!
Devaluation as a Social Process
Mass Production and Creative Destruction as Social Progress?
Economy and Obsolescence
The Gradual Transformation to the Shortening of Useful Life
Forms of Obsolescence of Goods
Product Life in Descent
Sustainability and Obsolescence: Decoupling Strategies
Ecological Efficiency
Ecological Consistency
Synthesis: Consideration of the Entire Life Cycle
Decoupling Is not Enough
Post-growth Economics: Reduction and Conservation
Overcoming Supply-Side Growth Drivers
Fields of Action of a Reduction Strategy
Educational Approaches for a Post-growth-Friendly Society
Obsolescence in Education
Devaluation Processes in Education
Experiential Knowledge and Self-efficacy as a Social Process
Repair Knowledge as an Educational Contribution to Sufficient Practices
A Young Adult Repair Café
Do We Need to Rethink Materialism?
References
More Efficiency is Not Enough. Capabilities and Limits of the Circular Economy
Findings and Definitions
What Does Circular Economy Mean?
Zero Emission and Zero Waste as Future Scenarios
Reasons for the Transition to Circular Economies
Rebound Effects and Obsolescence
Outlooks and Future Strategies
Materials of the Future
Blue Economy and Cradle to Cradle
Digital Circular Economy
Measuring Environmental Consumption and the 8-Ton Society
Extended Prosperity Indicators
New Narratives About the Good Life
Circular Economy and Sufficiency
References
Principles of Tech-Ökonomie: Future of Economics for 2050
Introduction
Definition of “Tech-Ökonomie”
2.0 Why “Tech-Ökonomie”?
Principles of “Tech-Ökonomie”
Transformation to “Tech-Ökonomie”
Human Subsystems
Eco-units
Planet-Centric Economic Growth Model-“Tech-Ökonomie”
Circular Economy Status in EU
Current Status of CE
Transformation of EU Economies into the “Tech-Ökonomie”
Signatures of “Tech-Ökonomie” in EU
Household and Consumption Data
Eurostat Capabilities
Data Availability for Delineation of Eco-units
Need for Adoption of “Tech-Ökonomie” in EU
Conclusion
References
Repair as Top Priority Within the Circular Economy
20 Years of Applied Circular Economy: Repair and Service Centre R.U.S.Z - A Practitioner’s View
The “Planned” Obsolescence of Capitalism
The Term Obsolescence
7 Theses
Such an Economy Kills
This Economy Is Addictive
This Economy Is Unfair
This Economy Destroys Livelihoods
This Economy Needs Systemic Change—Example: Electrical Appliances
Long Live the Homo Economicus
The Circular Economy as an Intermediate Step
… What Is to Be Done?
R.U.S.Z Is Different
Services for Consumers and the Environment
Innovations in the Fields of Waste Prevention and Resource Conservation
Sustainability Impact
SDG8 (Decent Work for All and Sustainable Economic Growth)
SDG 12 (Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns)
SDG 13 (Urgent Action to Tackle Climate Change and Its Impacts)
Fazit
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