Search results

1

From sustainable development to circular economy

100%

Raftowicz – Filipkiewicz M., Cibulskiene D., Paradowska M., Platje J. J.

Economic and Environmental Studies

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2016

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vol. 16

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issue 1(37)

103-113

EN

This paper is a critical analysis of the sustainable development issue, especially in term of environmental sphere. Author tries to prove that even if well-off countries spend more and more money to protect environment, however the real effects of their actions are relatively week. The current model of economy cannot solve the problem with waste, CO2 emission or extraction of natural resources because it is contrary to the interests of global economic powers. It is therefore proposed to change linear model of economy into circular, which guarantee sustainability and competitiveness simultaneously, what was proven by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

PL

Niniejszy artykuł jest krytyczną analizą problematyki zrównoważonego rozwoju, zwłaszcza w sferze ekologii. Autorka podejmuje próbę wykazania, że nawet jeśli bogate kraje wydają coraz więcej środków na ochronę przyrody, to jednak efekty ich działań są relatywnie słabe. Współczesny, neo-liberalny model ekonomii nie rozwiązuje bowiem problemów związanych z odpadami, emisją CO2 czy nadmiernym zużyciem naturalnych zasobów, gdyż jest to sprzeczne z interesem światowych potęg gospodarczych. Autorka proponuje zatem zmianę liniowego modelu gospodarowania na cyrkularny, który gwarantuje trwałość a jednocześnie i konkurencyjność, co zostało udowodnione testem korelacji ran Spearmana.

2

Challenges for the packaging industry in the Circular Economy

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Kawecka A., Cholewa-Wójcik A., Kawecka A., Cholewa-Wójcik A.

Zeszyty Naukowe Instytutu Gospodarki Surowcami Mineralnymi Polskiej Akademii Nauk

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2019

3

Circular behaviours undertaken by Polish households - a preliminary analysis of research results

100%

Szczygieł E.

Prace Komisji Geografii Przemysłu Polskiego Towarzystwa Geograficznego

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2021

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vol. 35

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issue 4

188-204

PL

The main aim of the paper is to analyse and evaluate the possible relation between circular behaviours undertaken by the households and the socio-economic features describing them. The paper presents the results of the author’s research conducted among Polish households on the territory of two voivodeships: Podkarpackie and Małopolskie. In the article, the author presents the concept of circular behaviours (understood as an element of pro-ecological behaviours), as well as the result of the preliminary analysis of the frequency of exhibiting those behaviours in the households. This analysis is based on evidence regarding the possible differences between the households due to their distinct features. To indicate the possible differences the Chi2 Test of Independence was used. Obtained results indicate that some socio-economic features may have an influence on the frequency of conducting circular behaviours. It could be important due to the establishment of supporting activities aiming at increasing the overall level of circularity among households (as an economic sector). This article is the fourth one in the publication series devoted to circular economy and sustainable development matters.

4

The Impact of a Circular Economy on Sustainable Development

100%

Górka K., Łuszczyk M., Thier A.

Barometr Regionalny. Analizy i prognozy

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2018

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issue 4(54)

7-14

EN

The issue of the exhaustibility and limited of natural resources has been noticed, among others, as a result of intensive economic development and civilization progress. In the second half of the 20th the emission of industrial and municipal pollutants, mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels, also became a serious problem. The article presents the essence and manifestations of the economy in a closed circuit and its impact on shaping sustainable socio-economic development, as well as the analysis of the possibilities of implementing these principles in business practice and in everyday life. According to the authors, managing in a closed circulation appears to be the highest stage of civilization development. Closing the so-called the loop and the economic cycle is becoming real in many areas as a result of extending the life cycle of products, the use of an ever-wider range of waste as secondary raw materials — instead of primary raw materials, the use of renewable energy sources, rationalization of water and forest management, etc.

PL

Kwestia wyczerpywalności i ograniczoności zasobów naturalnych została dostrzeżona między innymi na skutek intensywnego rozwoju gospodarczego i postępu cywilizacyjnego. W drugiej połowie XX wieku poważnym problemem stała się również emisja zanieczyszczeń przemysłowych i komunalnych, głównie w wyniku spalania paliw kopalnych. W artykule przedstawiono istotę i przejawy gospodarki w obiegu zamkniętym oraz jej wpływ na kształtowanie zrównoważonego i trwałego rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego, a także analizę możliwości wdrażania tych zasad w praktyce gospodarczej i w życiu codziennym. Zdaniem autorów gospodarowanie w obiegu zamkniętym jawi się jako najwyższy obecnie etap rozwoju cywilizacyjnego. Zamykanie tzw. pętli i obiegu gospodarczego staje się realne już w wielu dziedzinach w wyniku wydłużania cyklu życia wyrobów, stosowania coraz większego zbioru odpadów jako surowców wtórnych — w miejsce surowców pierwotnych, korzystania z odnawialnych źródeł energii, racjonalizacji gospodarki wodnej oraz leśnej itp.

5

Circular economy as assistance for sustainable development in OECD countries

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Skvarciany V., Lapinskaite I., Volskyte G.

Oeconomia Copernicana

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2021

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vol. 12

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issue 1

11-34

EN

Research background: Circular economy is of great importance, as it plays a vital role in ensuring the reuse of waste created and, therefore, reduces the waste of limited resources, which is the primary goal of the general economic concept. In line with the circular economy, sustainable development gains great attention, as the United Nations announced the sustainable development goals that should be reached by 2030. Hence, the current paper aims at examining whether the circular economy could be treated as an effective assistance tool for sustainable development of OECD countries. Purpose of the article: The paper aims to investigate whether the circular economy could serve as an assistance tool for sustainable development and, therefore, seeks to determine if the circular economy could directly impact a country's sustainable development. Methods: First, the countries chosen were prioritised using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) methodologies. AHP method was used for weight assignment to the circular economy indicators that were further used for OECD countries' prioritisation procedure for which multi-criteria decision-making method EDAS was employed. Second, to reveal a link between the circular economy ranking results and sustainable development, a comparative analysis was done. Third, the impact of the country's circular economy on sustainable development was evaluated using the fixed-effect regression model on four years of panel data from 2016 to 2019 for the sample of 32 OECD countries. Findings & value-added: The comparative analysis of the circular economy's prioritisation results and Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDGI) ranking showed 20 out of 32 matches, assuming a link between the circular economy and sustainable development could be made. The fixed-effect regression equation results demonstrate that the unemployment rate, poverty rate, air pollution exposure, and CO2 emission per capita negatively influence sustainable development. In contrast, indicators such as gross domestic expenditure on R&D, renewable energy, number of passenger cars in use, and households with Internet access positively impact SDGI. The hypothesis that the circular economy is seen as an assistance for sustainable development and directly affects a country's sustainability was approved. The paper contributes to the scientific literature in the field of circular economy and sustainable development interaction and could be seen as an assumption for new research directions, focusing on the linkage between circular economy and sustainable development. Moreover, the obtained results could contribute to a country's policy-makers by highlighting the essential indicators of a circular economy that should be considered while forming the strategy of a country's sustainable development.

6

Circular economy practices as a tool for sustainable development in the context of renewable energy: What are the opportunities for the EU?

100%

Jakubelskas U., Skvarciany V.

Oeconomia Copernicana

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2023

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vol. 14

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issue 3

833-859

EN

Research background: In order to tackle climate change and ensure Paris agreements are met, countries are forced to look for alternative ways of producing, consuming, and wasting and adopt a circular economy. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions becomes one of the key elements. The demand for electricity is increasing, and most greenhouse gas emissions derive from the energy sector. Because of that, it is crucial to ensure the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Renewable energy, as a part of the circular economy, also contributes to sustainable development. Only the efficient implementation of circular economy and renewable energy practices can ensure that sustainable development goals are achieved. Purpose of the article: The study aims at determining the efficiency of European Union countries implementing circular economy practices through renewable energy to attain SDGs. The study focuses on the significance of renewable energy as a tool for the circular economy to achieve sustainable development and highlights the progress achieved in SDG through renewable energy in the EU. Methods: For efficiency assessment of the circular economy represented by the renewable energy indicators, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was performed. Findings & value added: This study presents a relation analysis of the circular economy and renewable energy and the importance of efficiency in achieving SDGs through a circular economy. The study helps to understand the circular economy represented by renewable energy and how it transforms into sustainable development and contributes to necessary actions needed for countries to improve. Based on the results, Sweden, Luxembourg, Ireland, Latvia, Estonia, Malta, the Netherlands and Bulgaria are considered the most efficient countries, while Austria is the least efficient. Unused solar and wind power potential can slow down sustainable development; however, EU programs and renewable energy strategies help countries move towards clean energy and ensure efficient implementation of sustainable development goals.

7

Soft Skills and Education for Circular Economy, Citizens and Consumers

100%

Rakowska A.

Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska, sectio H – Oeconomia

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2023

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vol. 57

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issue 2

115-135

EN

Theoretical background: Dominating most of the world models of linear economy threatens the environment and our lives, so it needs to be replaced by the circular economy (CE) model. However, its functioning requires educated, competent and ready-for-change citizens and consumers. Purpose of the article: An exploratory research was conducted on business students as consumers and potential future entrepreneurs to identify students’ readiness and preparation for CE. Research methods: The semi-structured survey was designed. Three hundred nineteen responses were collected from MCSU students. Main findings: Students must be sufficiently prepared to function in the circular economy. This applies to both competencies essential for the role of a consumer and a manager in CE. Higher education institutions (HEI) must take a challenge to stimulate circular entrepreneurship and influence the transformation of consumption style. Economic motives for consumption style change dominate over moral motives. There is a challenge to work on consumer awareness and entrepreneurial readiness. Positive examples of CE models and practices and appropriate didactic methods need to be implemented. Respondents underline that transformation toward CE requires the education of all society members. There is a need to continue research on the determinants of society’s readiness to move to CE.

8

Between declaration and action – an analysis of the results of research on circular behaviours taken up by the households and perceived benefits from them

100%

Szczygieł E., Lwowska A., Hajduk-Stelmachowicz M.

Prace Komisji Geografii Przemysłu Polskiego Towarzystwa Geograficznego

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2022

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vol. 36

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issue 3

122-133

EN

The main aim of the paper is to analyse and evaluate the possible relation between taking up of the circular behaviours by the households’ members and perceiving the benefits. The paper presents the results of the research conducted among Polish households on the territory of two voivodeships: Podkarpackie and Małopolskie. In the article the authors present the result of the statistical analysis of the frequency of undertaking those behaviours in the households and perception of the benefits. To indicate the possible dependences the Chi2 Test of Independence and The U Mann-Whitney Test were used. Obtained results indicate that undertaking circular behaviours may have an influence on the perceived benefits of varying magnitude. It could be important due to the establishment of support activities aiming at increasing the overall level of circularity among the households (as an economic sector). The originality of the research consists the methodology used and novel questionnaire prepared by one of the authors. The questionnaire joins 9R’s circularity concept (normally used in circularity assessments in business companies) with typically households’ behaviours. This article is the sixth one in the publication series devoted to circular economy and sustainable development matters.

9

EDUCATION FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY CHANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

100%

ANDRZEJ K.

Scientific Bulletin of Chełm - Section of Pedagogy

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2017

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issue 2

147-156

EN

Civilization development has led to emerging of many facilities in human life and business, but has also introduced major changes and created a new order that over time has come to be in opposition to nature. The possibility to reconcile ecological, economic and social reasons is to be found in the idea of sustainable development. The prerequisite for achieving sustainable development is education, which is one of the fundamental human rights that enables integral development. The purpose of the study was to verify the role and importance of education in the emergence and implementation of a circular economy idea. As it turned out, research has shown that sustainable development is largely dependent on the implementation of the circular economy in which the education is a fundamental and necessary tool.

10

Circular economy policy-related national initiatives in Visegrad countries

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Pomázi I., Szabó E.

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vol. 27

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issue 2

131-154

EN

The concept of circular economy (CE) has become popular in the last decade: both decision-makers and businesses are looking for alternative solutions replacing the present economic model. Official governmental documents have been selected for introducing Visegrad countries’ (V4) initiatives and monitoring the progress toward a transition to a circular economy. Based on selected material flow and resource productivity (RP) indicators, the study compares the regional differences among Visegrad countries. The current performances of the V4 in the implementation of the circular economic model are below the EU average. Moreover, it is noticeable that the dynamics of the changes of each indicator is more positive than on average in the EU, however, only moderate relative decoupling of domestic material (DMC) from GDP has occurred. When comparing individual countries, the wide range of the policy measures taken by V4 countries to support the transition to a circular economy can be considered promising. Despite the different characteristics of Visegrad countries, they show similar performances that are rather close to each other and incrementally approach to the EU average.

11

Application of the circular economy in the power sector of Małopolska Region – benefits and challenges

88%

BIELECKA A., AVDIUSHCHENKO A., KULCZYCKA J., SMOL M.

Economic and Environmental Studies

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2018

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vol. 18

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issue 1

75-92

EN

Circular economy (CE) is a new trend in balanced development, directed at limiting consumption of resources and minimising waste production. In consideration of the European Commission’s (EC) postulates of the CE implementation, the article aims at verifying whether coal power plants in Małopolska Province are aware of the CE notion, ready to think and act in compliance with its rules, and to show how their present activities align with this new trend. The results of the study present the energy sector in the context of transformation from linear economy to circular economy and formation of the bases for further development as well as for intensification of activities related to the implementation of the CE.

PL

Gospodarka obiegu zamkniętego (cyrkulacyjna) jest nowym trendem w rozwoju zrównoważonym, skierowanym na ograniczanie zużycia zasobów oraz minimalizację produkcji odpadów. Uznając postulaty Komisji Europejskiej dotyczące wdrażania gospodarki cyrkulacyjnej, autorki stawiają sobie za cel stwierdzenie czy elektrownie działające na terenie Województwa małopolskiego są świadome pojęcia gospodarka obiegu zamkniętego, czy są gotowe myśleć i działać w zgodzie z jej regułami, oraz jak udowadniają że ich obecne działania wpisują się ten nowy trend. Wyniki niniejszego opracowania ukazują sektor energetyczny w kontekście przechodzenia z gospodarki liniowej do cyrkulacyjnej oraz kształtowania się podstaw dla dalszego rozwoju, jak również intensyfikacji działań związanych z wdrażaniem gospodarki obiegu zamkniętego.

12

Circular economy – the role of the Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, opportunities, barriers and challenges

88%

Zarębska J., Joachimiak-Lechman K.

Logistyka Odzysku

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2016

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issue 1(18)

79-82

EN

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an environmental management technique which, because of its potential, can be applied in many different areas. Its key role in increasing the efficiency of waste management is emphasised in the literature on the subject. This paper intends to make a contribution to the discussion on this subject and its primary goals are to present LCA in the context of implementation of circular economy and to assess the chances of popularisation of this concept in Poland. Based on own survey results, it was demonstrated that while the vast majority of respondents assured of their sense of environmental awareness, a little over 60% of respondents stated that they systematically segregate municipal waste. Thus making the transition towards a circular economy in Poland requires the increase in public's involvement and adequate education in this field.

13

Gospodarka o obiegu zamkniętym circular economy – nowe podejście w rozumieniu relacji człowiek–środowisko

88%

Degórski M.

Studia komitetu przestrzennego zagospodarowania kraju PAN

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2018

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vol. 183

27-35

14

The Issues of Fashion Brand Equity in a Circular Economy

88%

Bieńkowska J.

Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska, sectio H – Oeconomia

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2023

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vol. 57

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issue 1

41-59

EN

Theoretical background: The worldwide fashion business has confronted the demand to transit from a linear to a circular business model that involves a series of fundamental alterations to the hitherto highly efficient strategies. As a consequence, a conceptual issue concerning fashion brand value creation has emerged. This applies notably to luxury, premium and fast fashion brands. Satisfying the expectations of customers and stakeholders should cease to be simply a matter of manufacturing a varied and impressive product line, since it has to be both sustainable and sensitive to the emergent requirements of the natural and social environment. Along with the aforementioned challenges, the key messages conveyed by brands through the marketing communication are also undergoing a transformation. Purpose of the article: To present the perspectives on building fashion brand equity in a circular economy, including risks and opportunities. Research methods: A review of scientific and specialised studies, selected using specific keywords, was undertaken. Data sources included academic resources: books, articles, market data (e.g. McKinsey & Company) and statistics published on the Statista platform, as well as specialised resources: expert articles, reports from organisations approaching the issue under research (e.g. EU, UN, Fashion Revolution, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, etc.). The search area was composed of electronic resources: licensed, open access websites and topic-related websites. The aim of the data analysis was to systematise background knowledge through an inductive method. Main findings: 1. The fashion business needs a change of mission, vision and strategy along with cooperation and coopetition among brands of the luxury goods, mass goods and organic MSMEs markets within its ecosystems in order to achieve the expected brand value. 2. The implementation of circular economy model in the fashion business implies the necessity to restrict overproduction and overconsumption of clothes and accessories at the same time as utilising sustainable raw materials and production technologies. Furthermore, it requires the dissemination of the slow fashion model, which incorporates the reuse of clothes by other users (rental of clothes, second hand, upcycling). 3. Change of consumer behaviour, popularisation of research findings and expertise from independent organizations is a factor stimulating fashion brands to act towards a circular economy in order to maintain high brand value.

15

Institutional potential and barriers for a circular economy. The case study of Warsaw

88%

Sadowy K., Biernacka J.

Journal of Management and Financial Sciences

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2022

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issue 45

67-79

EN

The paper presents the study conducted in the Mokotów district in Warsaw, encompassing circular practices of eight chosen local entities, from private, public, and NGO sectors. The choice was based on the preliminary research showing that the entities were already engaged in some form of the circular transition. The definition of the circular economy applied in the study was based on the one proposed by Kircherr, Reike, and Hekkert [2017] describing a circular economy as an economic system based on business models replacing the ‘end-of-life’ concept with reducing, alternatively reusing, recycling, and recovering materials in production/distribution and consumption processes. The aim is to accomplish sustainable development, by creating environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social equity to the benefit of current and future generations. The goals of the study encompassed: • verification if there is a common understanding of what the circular economy is; • identification and comparison of circular practices introduced by various actors; • identification of existing incentives for circular practices and expected benefits; • pinpointing the obstacles and barriers, both within organisations and outside. The identified practices were also verified to support more specific goals of the circular economy, present in the literature. The findings show that current benefits of the circular transition are limited and the actions are mostly driven by personal involvement. The lack of the support of local administration is evident, as well as the limitation of market solutions. Networking turns are to be one of the most important aspects of efficient circular practices.

16

Luxury, slow and fast fashion: A case study on the (un)sustainable creating of shared values

88%

MacGregor Pelikánová R., Sani M.

Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy

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2023

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vol. 18

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issue 3

813-851

EN

Research background: Since crises magnify differences and bring both challenges and opportunities, the current complex global setting makes the mutual interconnection a fundamental platform meant to create confidence and also to lead to a unique strategic advantage. Due to its inherent particularities, the fashion industry is a relevant sphere for performing a categorial reflective triangulation study about the understanding and employment of creating shared values (CSV) within the EU framework. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the article is to research, analyze and critically highlight how CSV is approached by archetypical fashion industry businesses from all three fundamental segments (luxury, fast, slow) and how this fits into the EU law framework. Methods: A categorial reflective triangulation study in four steps is performed while using a content analysis, empirical field observation, qualitative manual Delphi approach and critical juxtaposition with glossing and Socratic questioning. Firstly, 30 archetypical fashion industry businesses are identified and split into luxury, slow and fast fashion segments. Secondly, for each business, research is done on how it identifies its CSVs. Thirdly, the verification of these CSVs is performed in order to confirm or reject the genuineness. Fourthly, the results are projected into the EU framework. Findings & value added: Based on the performed study and its critical analysis, there appear extremely interesting dynamics in the CSV perception and strategies by luxury, slow and fast fashion businesses with a clear overlap in the EU sphere. In particular, fashion businesses from all three segments take into consideration sustainability and the fight against waste, but each segment has a different pro-CSV strategy to do so, and it is critical to contemplate which of these three strategies will become sustainable.

17

Making cities circular: Experiences from the living lab Hamburg-Altona

88%

Obersteg A., Arlati A., Knieling J.

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vol. 27

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issue 2

59-77

EN

The article argues that to reach circular economy goals urban regions need to identify and understand the challenges and opportunities originating from the differences in spatial settings, and to develop place-based solutions by adequately involving (local) stakeholders. Based on the case study that was conducted in Hamburg within the Horizon2020 project REPAiR, spatial specificities in five different urban areas shall be analysed and strategies that were developed in a co-creative process shall be explored. The results show that the spatial organisation of CE strategies depends on urban structures and stakeholders’ interest and needs to be embedded in the (local) governance setting and a spatial planning system.

18

Local resource-based development potential as reflected in waste management/circularity transition: Governance barriers in Hungary

88%

Varjú V., Mezei C., Vér C.

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vol. 27

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issue 2

79-93

EN

Waste as a local resource is a development opportunity for resource owners as waste may act as a foundation for bottom-up development at local levels. This paper presents the most important governance challenges that hamper a paradigmatic change in resource efficiency, a transition towards circular economy in the case of Pécs (Hungary). In recent years waste management infrastructure has evolved to provide resource potentials for recycling and reuse, this is a first step towards a (circularity) transition, however, the centralisation of power is hampering local transitions. The article concludes by arguing that in Pécs (Hungary), the transition towards a local resource-based development is impeded by a myriad of legal, institutional and administrative obstacles created by recent efforts towards institutionalisation.

19

Citizen involvement in waste management and circular economy in cities: Key elements for planning and implementation

88%

Izdebska O., Knieling J.

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vol. 27

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issue 2

115-129

EN

This paper identifies and explores key elements for planning and implementing citizen involvement in the area of waste management and circular economy in cities. The analysis has shown that institutions responsible for waste management regard strategic planning, inclusivity, transparency, continuity, and resources as particularly important for reaching the objectives of citizen involvement. However, not all of the four analysed cities have applied these elements to the same extent, due to e.g. a lack of a strategy for citizen involvement, or limited personal and financial resources.

20

Circular Economy: An Ethicaland Sustainable Economic Development Model

75%

Qiao F., Qiao N.

Prakseologia

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2013

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issue 154

253-272

EN

The traditional linear economic growth model pursues solely the GDP growth, and economic development is achieved at the expense of the environment and the resources. This model has obvious ethical flaws and has been viewed as a “from cradle to grave” approach. Differently, the circular economy development model establishes the principles of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” as its core contents in order to achieve sustainable development, which has been viewed as a "from cradle to cradle" approach. Circular economy engenders new ethical relationships, and proposes new ethics of production and consumption. Circular economy implies the holistic value principle and sustainable value principle, which can remedy the ethical flaws of the traditional linear model. As an ethical and sustainable development approach, circular economy contributes to the Copernican change in the field of economic ethics.

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From sustainable development to circular economy

Challenges for the packaging industry in the Circular Economy