In the conditions of the transformation of modern society, due to the spread and introduction of the Internet, digital data, robotics, and artificial intelligence, all spheres of human life are changing. Over the past decade, the circular economy has been actively implemented in developed countries, eliminating the outdated linear economy, the disadvantages of which are the depletion of natural resources and the aggravation of environmental problems. The construction of a circular economy involves global changes at all stages of the production process, starting from the production and sales chain to the introduction of new business models, preservation, and extension of the service life of products (conservation of natural resources), recycling of waste into a resource, as well as the introduction of new forms of conscious consumer behavior. A critical condition for activating the intensification of the transition to the circular economy model is creating a comprehensive methodological tool for assessing its development, which is necessary for effective strategic and program planning at the state level. It is noted that low rates characterize the progress of circular transformations. Along with this, the methodical level of assessing the circularity of economic systems of different levels and their effectiveness remains quite complex and debatable. Many international organizations, national governments, and their associations are searching for effective methods and approaches to evaluating the development of circular processes. The main methodical approaches that are widespread in practice today are analyzed: the umbrella approach, material flow approach, circulation, assessment based on standards, and integrated approach. Two critical directions of evaluating the circularity of economic processes (technical and biological) are currently popular, characterized by their monitoring and evaluation indicators system. The multifaceted nature of indicators for evaluating circular macro-level processes and the variety of conditions in which these processes are carried out led to the understanding of the need to create appropriate circular economy standards that would form a complete methodological basis for monitoring, comparison, and evaluation. Keywords: monitoring, economy, system, indicators, sustainable development.
Read full abstract