Implementation of circular economy in regional strategies

Abstract

One proposed solution to the sustainability crisis is to pursue a circular economy, which is a regenerative economic system that aims to design out waste while keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. This dissertation focuses on the adoption of a circular economy in European regional-level strategies. It strives to discover how regional strategies can support society to promote a sustainable future approach, in this case, in the form of the circular economy. The research explores to what extent the circular economy is present in European regional strategies and how the circular economy is implemented in the framework of smart specialisation, and finally, it presents a regional circular economy strategy process from the Päijät-Häme region in Finland.

The thesis consists of four substudies. A qualitative research approach is utilised in the dissertation involving a qualitative survey in six European regions, semistructured interviews with 12 regions and a case study of one regional process.

Regions play a central role in the pursuit of circularity. For a successful transition, the implementation of regional strategies is in a key position. In this process, support on both the international and national levels is crucial. However, the perception of the circular economy needs to be broadened, moving beyond waste management and recycling towards a holistic and systemic understanding. The importance of a bottom-up approach in strategy processes is recognised and utilised in the regions, yet diversification needs to be supported. Combining the circular economy and smart specialisation goals can help support the sustainability transition. However, concretising priorities and roadmaps into organised action plans is still in the development phase, even if separate circular actions occur. In particular, the monitoring and evaluation of strategies needs more attention.

The regions have started the transition towards the circular economy. There is a need for developing the understanding of sustainability, strengthening stakeholder involvement, coordinating actions and monitoring goals and activities in order for regional strategies to support the transition. Innovative thinking can help regional actors find synergies in the strategy processes. The regional authorities responsible for development strategies are in a crucial position in supporting the development. Concrete activities and changes in perception are necessary on all levels, both in policy and practice, research and business, and above all, in the minds of citizens.