Chapter 15. Linking Life Cycle Assessment to the Wider Circular Economy

Abstract

Fundamental characteristics of concepts and assessment tools in environmental management include: focus on just the environmental, or additionally the social and/or economic, dimensions of sustainability; strong versus weak sustainability; relative versus absolute sustainability; consideration of humans as part of – or separate from – the natural environment; and assessment of the positive or negative aspects of sustainability. This chapter discusses the expression of these characteristics in the circular economy concept and in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and suggests that the popularity of the circular economy concept is explained by its particular expression of these characteristics. There is merit in considering the use of LCA in conjunction with the circular economy concept in order to substantiate (or not) the latter's contested assertions about the form of sustainable societies. In particular, it can be questioned whether a future circular economy can operate with completely closed material loops and use recycled materials to meet the expanding demand for future infrastructure and consumption patterns. Also, could a circular economy perversely drive increased consumption by providing cheaper products and diverting attention away from a focus on reducing material flows into and/or through the economy? Ultimately, though, both approaches have potential to contribute to informing responses to the urgent need for implementation of a strong sustainability perspective to guide the development of future economic systems.