How do governance arrangements matter in the circular economy? Lessons from five methanation projects based on the social-ecological system framework

Abstract

As the circular economy (CE) is a viable solution to address environmental issues, academics and policy makers aim to have a better understanding of the drivers and barriers related to its development. Nonetheless, what is still missing in this discussion is what governance arrangements at the micro level would be conducive for the CE. In other words, how actors should interact to apply, form, and reform rules to organize activities inherent in the development of the CE. This study aims to investigate this question by mobilizing the Socio-Ecological Systems framework to examine five methanation projects carried out in the Brittany and Normandy regions of France. As these projects are characterized by different outcomes, a comparative analysis is conducted to identify a set of governance arrangement factors that are key to the success of the CE. First, in terms of actors, the results highlight the importance of (i) the participation of all relevant stakeholders in the governance process, especially local inhabitants, (ii) facilitative leadership, (iii) sufficient technological expertise. Second, there should be effective collaboration through frequent information sharing and self-organizing activities. Third, actors apply constitutional rules while elaborating collective choice rules that allow a collaborative and bottom-up governance.