Sustainable development of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises in the European Union: A taxonomy of circular economy practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 2528-2541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Bassi ◽  
José G. Dias
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union

scholarly journals Eco-innovations for a circular economy: the EU countries rankings

2021 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 01012
Author(s):  
Konstantin G. Gomonov
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Catching Up ◽  
The Eu

This article reveals the importance of implementing eco-innovation for the circular economy and sustainable development. The author provides different approaches to measuring the level of development of eco-innovation in the countries of the European Union. The two main indices for measuring eco-innovation are revealed in more detail. Described the pillars of each of the indices. Clustering of EU countries was carried out using the k-means method and groups of countries were identified by the level of implementation of eco-innovation. The clear leaders are Denmark, Sweden. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland are catching-up countries.

scholarly journals Determination of circularity indicators: A case study of MB International Company

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21
Author(s):  
Angelina Pavlović ◽  
Goran Bošković ◽  
Nebojša Jovičić ◽  
Snežana Nestić ◽  
Natalia Sliusar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Additional Value

The circular economy (CE) is currently a worldwide popular concept that should ensure sustainable development and resource efficiency. It is established on the theory of consumption and use of resources in the process of production in a way that affects a limitation of adverse effects on the environment. Simultaneously, this concept creates additional value and reuse of the products. In the Republic of Serbia (RS), the idea of CE is still new and underdeveloped. Hence, this paper aims to explore the possibility of implementing a CE in companies that operate in the RS by adopting the already developed methodology in the European Union. This research was conducted by monitoring the production process in the company "MB INTERNACIONAL" that produced cardboard packaging. The obtained approximate value of Circular Indicator of this company was 0.47, which indicated that the company had excellent chances for full implementation of the CE model in the business with the application of specific measures. The low-budget and highbudget measures, which could improve the circularity level in the analyzed company, are also presented in the research.

scholarly journals From the circular economy to the sustainable development goals in the European Union: an empirical comparison

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón ◽  
Luis Rubio-Andrada ◽  
María Soledad Celemín-Pedroche ◽  
Soraya María Ruíz-Peñalver
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is trying to accelerate the transition from the current linear economy to a circular economy (CE). In fact, the CE is considered a tool to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this sense, this paper aims at analysing the interaction between the CE and SDGs in the context of the new 2030 Agenda and the European CE strategy; thus contributing to the scarce empirical literature that links the potential of the European CE strategy to the achievement of the SDGs set by the 2030 Agenda. Three specific research questions have been formulated. First, could the objectives defined in the 2030 Agenda be considered homogeneous, and could they uniquely measure the concept of sustainability? Second, are there significant correlations between the implementation of a CE in the EU and the SDGs? Finally, is the behaviour of the 28 countries that make up the EU homogeneous in terms of the results of the initiatives aimed at the implementation of a CE? From these questions, nine hypotheses are put forward concerning the possible relationships between a CE implementation and the fulfilment of SDGs in the EU. Using a correlation analysis, an exploratory factor analysis, and a cluster analysis, it has been demonstrated that (a) SDGs do not univocally measure the concept of sustainability; (b) there are significant relationships between CE and SDGs in the EU; (c) the behaviour of these European countries is not homogeneous.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN EU COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 704-712
Author(s):  
Myroslav Kryshtanovych ◽  
Viktoriia Filippova ◽  
Maryna Huba ◽  
Olga Kartashova ◽  
Oleksandr Molnar
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Basic Tool ◽  
Economy Model ◽  
The World ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
Circulating Economy

The circular economy is interpreted as a stable economic system, which aims at eliminating the consequences and costs, as well as providing a constant cycle of necessary resources. That is why it is so important to conduct its assessment today. The object of the article is the state of the circulating economy of the leading countries of the world. The purpose of the article is to assess the possibilities and mechanisms of the circular economy in the context of the introduction of the European Union. The methodological basis is a system of mutually complementary general scientific and special methods of cognition. To assess the quality of the implementation of the circular economy, we have chosen the recycling method as the most relevant and easiest to use. The study examined the essence, progress, principles and main advantages of using the circular economy model in the context of implementing this model in 20 countries of the European Union, and the model for analysing the processing possibilities in the European Union as a basic tool for assessing the implementation of a circular economy are presented.

scholarly journals Reusing railway infraestructures in the spirit of circular construction. A contribution to an operational concept

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Ana Cardoso de Matos ◽  
Fernanda De Lima Lourencetti
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Sustainability ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Industrial Areas ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Operational Concept ◽  
First Moment

<p class="Abstracttext-VITRUVIO">This paper aims to be a contribution to establish a position to the reuse of obsolete railway buildings in the field of circular construction. Recent discussions argue that considering that the circular economy is only related to the use of materials or waste is a misconception. The reuse of buildings is also an issue circular architecture. The European Union itself, since 2002, supports the Programme ESPON - European Territorial Cooperation Programme, which incisively inserts obsolete buildings in the "spirit of the circular economy", giving greater attention to industrial areas undergoing change and deindustrialisation. Considering that the concepts of circular construction and circular architecture originated in the circular economy, which emerged as a way to promote and ensure urban sustainability, this article addresses in a first moment the concept of circular construction from the first documents developed in the context of sustainable development to the latest policies proposed by ESPON. It also analyses the reuse of obsolete railway spaces based on the analysis of some emblematic examples of reuse, namely the <em>Musée d'Orsay</em> and the <em>Promenade Plantée</em> in Paris. These two examples represent different types of railway infrastructure and their fate will frame the reuse of railway buildings within the concept of circular construction.</p>

scholarly journals Implementation of circular economy on the basis of European experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-289
Author(s):  
Natalia Horbal ◽  
◽  
M. Mazuryk ◽  
Oleh Mykytyn ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Eu

Accelerated population growth, depletion of natural resources, excessive pollution of the environment, which threatens the existence of mankind, was a prerequisite for the emergence of the concept of circular economy and the principles of sustainable development, ie doing business without harm to the environment. The model of circular (circular) economy is aimed at energy saving, regenerative environmentally friendly consumption and production. The article presents the results of the study of the concept of circular economy and the benefits of its implementation based on the experience of the European Union - a global leader in this field. The main goals, priorities and measures of the EU in the implementation of the circular economy are revealed. The basic principles of the circular economy are highlighted, examples of successful use of its business models are given. The two most acute global problems that can be solved only by a closed-loop economy are identified, and forecasts of the results of its global use are given. Closed-loop economics is a concept of resource management that is rapidly gaining global popularity and is recognized in the scientific literature as one of the key drivers for achieving objectives of the Paris Agreement. 30 years have passed since the first mention of the "circularity" of the economy, however only after its official introduction in the EU its popularity has grown rapidly, and world leaders have gradually been realizing its importance for achieving sustainable development. Climate change and depletion of natural resources are the visible negative processes that require the implementation of a circular economy. At the same time, society itself must change – from the choice of raw materials, product development methods and new concepts of service to the widespread use of by-products of one industry as complete raw materials for another. This requires the training of relevant specialists, whose professional activity will be the circular economy.To date, the most significant results in the transition to a circular economy are demonstrated by the European Union (EU), where the European Resource Efficiency Platform, which brings together EU countries, aims to ensure the transition to a circular economy based on reuse and high-quality recycling. Circular economy is a new trend that is seen as an important area of structural reform and aims to raise awareness of the real environmental, energy and socio-economic situation of the world by identifying ideological options for a better understanding of the dilemma of economic growth vs. the environment, optimal ways and more effective tools for solving problems, faced by society. The goal of the circular economy is to ensure, in line with the global CSWs, a shift towards sustainable production and consumption while integrating environmental issues into the adoption process solutions.

scholarly journals Bioenergy and Bioresources Usage in the Context of Circular Economy Promotion

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
Leonid Melnyk ◽  
Oleksandr Kubatko ◽  
Svitlana Fedyna ◽  
Ivan Torba
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Space Heating ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Leading Position ◽  
By Products ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The circular economy, which minimises the level of environmental pollution, creates a promising background for sustainable development. The application of bioeconomics principles provides the use of by-products of agriculture, forestry, food waste, and wastewater as raw materials for electricity and heat. The objective is to analyse the prerequisites for bioenergy development as one of the circular economy areas. FGLS estimations are performed over the period of 2007–2018. The leading position in terms of bioenergy sphere growth is occupied by the European Union, followed by the countries of Asia and North America. The division of biomass into “traditional” and “modern” is discussed, where traditional biomass is mostly used for cooking and space heating in developing countries, while the EU is focusing on the development of second-generation (2G) biofuels when the biofuel is produced from non-food raw materials. It is estimated that the annual production of energy from renewable sources is about 225 thousand tons of o. e. in Ukraine. It is found that the legal field and the strategic directions of the bioeconomy in the European Union and Ukraine coincide, but the pace of development of bioenergy in Ukraine can be described as very slow. To increase the bioenergy potential, it is recommended to apply green tariffs, renewable energy certificates, and subsidies to energy producers.

European experience in transition to circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
European Experience ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Eu

Subject. The article considers the concept of circular economy, which has originated relatively recently in the academic literature, and is now increasingly recognized in many countries at the national level. In the European Union, the transition to circular economy is viewed as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of the European Union, protect businesses from resource shortages and fluctuating prices for raw materials and supplies, and a way to increase employment and innovation. Objectives. The aim of the study is to analyze the incentives developed by the European Commission for moving to circular economy, and to assess their effectiveness on the basis of statistical analysis. Methods. I employ general scientific methods of research. Results. The analysis of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy enabled to conclude that the results of the recent research in circular economy barriers, eco-innovation, technology and infrastructure were successfully integrated into the framework of this document. Understanding the root causes holding back the circular economy development and the balanced combination of economic and administrative incentives strengthened the Action Plan, and it contributed to the circular economy development in the EU. Conclusions. The measures to stimulate the development of the circular economy proposed in the European Action Plan can be viewed as a prototype for designing similar strategies in other countries, including Russia. Meanwhile, a more detailed analysis of barriers to the circular economy at the level of individual countries and regions is needed.

TERRITORIAL COHESION POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF EU REGIONAL SECURITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (Vol 18, No 4 (2019)) ◽  
pp. 439-453
Author(s):  
Ihor LISHCHYNSKYY
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cohesion Policy ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Territorial Cohesion ◽  
Interregional Cooperation ◽  
The Eu

The article is devoted to the study of the implementation of territorial cohesion policy in the European Union in order to achieve a secure regional coexistence. In particular, the regulatory and institutional origins of territorial cohesion policy in the EU are considered. The evolution of ontological models of cohesion policy has been outlined. Specifically, the emphasis is placed on the key objective of political geography – effectively combining the need for "territorialization" and the growing importance of networking. The role of urbanization processes in the context of cohesion policy is highlighted. Cross-border dimensions of cohesion policy in the context of interregional cooperation are explored. Particular emphasis is placed on the features of integrated sustainable development strategies.

scholarly journals A Review of Bioplastics and Their Adoption in the Circular Economy

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1229
Author(s):  
Alberto Di Bartolo ◽  
Giulia Infurna ◽  
Nadka Tzankova Dintcheva
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
Net Zero

The European Union is working towards the 2050 net-zero emissions goal and tackling the ever-growing environmental and sustainability crisis by implementing the European Green Deal. The shift towards a more sustainable society is intertwined with the production, use, and disposal of plastic in the European economy. Emissions generated by plastic production, plastic waste, littering and leakage in nature, insufficient recycling, are some of the issues addressed by the European Commission. Adoption of bioplastics–plastics that are biodegradable, bio-based, or both–is under assessment as one way to decouple society from the use of fossil resources, and to mitigate specific environmental risks related to plastic waste. In this work, we aim at reviewing the field of bioplastics, including standards and life cycle assessment studies, and discuss some of the challenges that can be currently identified with the adoption of these materials.

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