Abstract
The shift from a linear model to a circular model can significantly reduce the negative pressures on the environment and contribute to restoring biodiversity and natural capital in Europe. In this view, research and innovation (R&I) play a relevant role in setting the modalities of this transition. Therefore, the European Commission (EC) recently promoted dedicated research activity instruments in this vital area of the economy and in society as a whole. This paper aims to shed light on current public efforts on R&I supporting the transition to the CE (circular economy) model, opening a critical debate on the actual relevance of the CE in current R&I policy with its major research policy schemes in the recent programming periods of 2007–2013 and 2014–2020. Looking at the most significant EC programs sponsoring R&I, it seems that the will to increase the sustainability of the agri-food system and to foster the socio-technical transition towards circularity is evident but not very relevant. The data presented leaves some open questions concerning the effective commitment of European countries to promoting resource efficiency via R&I.
Highlights
The World Economic Forum argues that a circular economy (CE), intended as an economic system that reduces waste, introducing continual use of resources, could be a $4.5 trillion business opportunity [1]
As stated in the Introduction, the aim of the paper is to shed light on the European policy for innovation fostering the socio-technical transition at the basis of the CE and to open a critical debate on the actual relevance of the adoption of a CE model in current research and innovation (R&I) policy
Starting from the consideration that the necessary shift towards circularity must be accomplished via a technological transition, that is, by a set of innovations from many points of view, this study has focused on the funding of research projects aimed at promoting sustainable and CE innovation in the agri-food system
Summary
The World Economic Forum argues that a circular economy (CE), intended as an economic system that reduces waste, introducing continual use of resources, could be a $4.5 trillion business opportunity [1]. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation [28], considers “the circular economy a systems-level approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment.” In both these definitions, there is a precise reference to the optimum use and reuse of raw materials and products in the economy to conserve natural resources. The “2015 Circular Economy Action Plan” was a part of the EU industrial strategy and contained measures with the dual aim of: (i) making sustainable products the norm in the EU and (ii) empowering consumers The former action means that products placed on the EU market should be designed to last longer and should be easier to reuse, repair and recycle. The latter one is aimed at informing consumers about the reparability and durability of products [32]
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