Wrap-Up: Equitable Circular Economy, Nesting the Social Dimension in the Circular Economy

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This chapter provides the closing remarks for a book that intended to put together a conceptual and empirical perspective of the research that brings to the fore the social dimension of the circular economy (CE). All the chapters reflect on the relations of CE practices with social UN SDGs. Authors and perspectives from different countries and locations and typically in collaboration with numerous authors per chapter were provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing and capacity building across different regions of the world. This final chapter offers a discussion of the book’s contributions, insights and linkages between chapters. It presents a framework where the implementation of CE practices mediates the relation between the progress towards UN SDG goals related to sustainable governance—UN SDG 16 (Institutions), UN SDG 17 (Partnerships)—and progress towards the ‘social’ UN SDGs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10. Implications of CE are discussed in more detail for the SDGs featured more prominently in the book—SDG 2 (no hunger) and SDG 10 (no inequality). The chapter also assesses the limitations of using the UN SDGs to systematise exploration of social aspects of CE and the potential of CE for more radical and disruptive ways of social circularity, emphasising that identity, equity, justice and social inclusion are themes strongly affecting the implementation of CE. The chapter concludes with recommendations for a future research agenda around the concept of equitable CE, a CE that maintains environmental protection as its core mission but is purposefully socially inclusive, just and fair and brings to the fore the interdependencies between human and ecological dimensions of sustainable development.