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Cited by 404Sustainable Supply Chain ManagementEuropean Union Policy and GovernanceSustainable Development and Environmental Management

Analysing European Union circular economy policies: words versus actions

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Calisto Friant, Martin, Vermeulen, Walter J.V., Salomone, Roberta·2021·Sustainable Production and Consumption
DOI 10.1016/j.spc.2020.11.001
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Abstract

Since the publication of the European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015, this new sustainability paradigm has become a guiding force behind the environmental and economic policies of the Junker Commission. The European Union (EU) has taken a particular approach to circularity, with high expectations to increase competitiveness, promote economic growth and create jobs while reducing environmental impacts and resource dependency. However, the circular economy (CE) is a contested paradigm, for which many competing interpretations exist, each seeking varying degrees of social, ecological and political transformation. Considering the emerging and contested state of the academic literature on CE, the EU's embrace of the concept is a remarkable phenomenon, which remains poorly researched. The aim of this paper is thus to address this research gap by analysing the CE discourse and policies of the Junker Commission (2014-2019) in order to critically discuss their sustainability implications and develop key policy recommendations. To do so, this research uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The paper first critically analyses the EU's discourse based on a typology of circularity discourses. It then reviews the complex set of concrete CE policies and actions adopted by the EU and compares them to its discourse. Results show a dichotomy between words and actions, with a discourse that is rather holistic, while policies focus on “end of pipe” solutions and do not address the many socio-ecological implications of a circularity transition. Several actions are thus recommended to tackle the systemic challenges of a circular future from a plural perspective.

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  • The EU's policy focus does not reflect holistic plans and narratives, and emphasizes 'end-of-pipe' solutions.

    “Although plans and narratives are holistic, the EU's policy focus does not reflect this, and emphasizes 'end-of-pipe' solutions (Calisto Friant et al., 2021).”

    From Implementation and management of a circular public procurement contract for furniture (2023) · cites this paper as Calisto Friant et al., 2021

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Calisto Friant, M., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Salomone, R.
Affiliations
  • Utrecht University (NL)
  • University of Messina (IT)
ORCID
Venue
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-07
Volume
27
Pages
337-353
ISSN
2352-5509 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.spc.2020.11.001
OpenAlex
W3117661467
Cited by
404
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 50 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 88 · 2023: 86 · 2022: 73 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 1
FWCI
53.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Sustainable Production and Consumption (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Repository@Hull (Worktribe) (University of Hull) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
  • European Commission (765198)
  • Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
  • Horizon 2020
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Sustainable Supply Chain Management
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › European Union Policy and Governance
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Sustainable Development and Environmental Management
Keywords
circular economy, EU circular economy policy, Circular Economy Action Plan, policy discourse, end-of-pipe solutions, socio-ecological transition, resource dependence, sustainability policy, policy recommendations

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