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Project title

Supporting and scaling up the just transition to the circular economy

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Bernadette Power

Project Abstract

This project will provide a comprehensive analysis of practical, just and inclusive ways to help support and scale up the CE transition. The project will not only examine ways to support the CE transition but also ways to scale up the transition and thus it will build on existing literature which has focused mainly on encouraging businesses to engage in the CE without paying much attention to scaling up CE activities. It is recognised that scaling up the CE transition will require widespread changes to existing business models supported by the development of new infrastructure and systems and the implementation of push/pull incentive mechanisms (financial and non-financial). It is also recognised that a just and effective transition requires a more inclusive and holistic approach that considers outcomes for multiple stakeholders. The proposed research will apply a multi-stakeholder framework, ecosystem thinking and mixed methods to identify holistic solutions for supporting and scaling-up the just transition to the CE. The project will examine ways to develop circular business and collaborative consumption models, including (but not limited to) operating takeback schemes, engaging in remanufacturing and refurbishing, providing repair and maintenance services, product-service system (PSS) models and using second hand products and secondary raw materials in manufacturing production. It will also examine ways to develop CE infrastructure, including (but not limited to) online marketplaces for sourcing second hand products and secondary raw materials, regional waste processing and recycling infrastructure, reverse logistics networks, education and training programmes for businesses and displaced workers, innovation hubs for the CE, online platforms for enabling access-based collaborative consumption. The project will also examine the role of financial incentives and systems for enabling businesses to adopt and scale up new business models, including (but not limited to) tax measures, government grants and loans, private funding, green public procurement, digital product passports and product labelling. Throughout the project, consideration will be given to the needs of multiple stakeholders, including existing businesses, circular start-up enterprises, social enterprises, business representative groups, industry bodies, regional business networks, enterprise-development organisations, business-support organisations, other organisations working specifically in the area of the circular economy, and final consumers. Moreover, the socio-economic/cultural impacts of the transition will also be considered in devising holistic solutions that are just and inclusive for supporting and scaling up the CE transition for all economic actors and social groups. It is envisaged that the project’s findings will play a key role in informing Government policies such as future iterations of the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, while also helping us achieve our CE targets such as increasing our circular material use rate from its current level of 2% to close to or above the EU average of 12%.

Grant Approved

658242.38

Research Hub

Facilitating a Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Supporting and scaling up the just transition to the Circular Economy

Start Date

01/05/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/04/2029