Developing Circular Pathways for aN EU Low-Carbon Transition
CircEUlar was a four-year European Research and Innovation Action that advanced the understanding of how circular economy strategies can support the transition towards a net-zero emissions future
Understand the dynamics and levers for societal transformation towards a net-zero emission circular economy
The CircEUlar project investigated the dynamics and levers of societal transformation towards a low-carbon circular economy by developing new modelling approaches and integrating insights from across disciplines. It examined how circularity can be strengthened through three key pathways:
- Dematerialisation and the transition towards a service-based economy, reducing the growth of material stocks;
- Extending the lifetime of material stocks through repair, maintenance and reuse;
- Improving waste treatment and recycling systems to enable more circular material flows.
Through new data and modelling approaches, CircEUlar analysed economy-wide material stocks and flows, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and industrial value chains across interconnected sectors. Particular attention was given to mobility and buildings, two highly material-intensive sectors with significant potential for circular transformation. The project also explored the role of digitalisation as an enabler of dematerialisation and more circular supply chains.
DURATION
48 months (Starting date: 1 September 2022)
CONSORTIUM
12 organisations from 8 countries
COORDINATOR
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
BUDGET
6.021.635
- EU CONTRIBUTION: € 4 937 622
- SERI CONTRIBUTION: € 570,625
- UKRI CONTRIBUTION: € 513,388
A comprehensive approach to circular economy transformation
CircEUlar brought together diverse sources of data, knowledge and expertise to assess circular economy opportunities and impacts. This included insights on the roles of firms and consumers for the adoption of circular economy practices, industry perspectives on innovations and circular business models, and modelling of economy-wide material stocks and flows to identify pathways and policy levers supporting societal transformation.
The project findings were integrated into EU and global modelling frameworks, enabling the analysis of:
- alternative pathways to net-zero GHG emissions and increased circularity;
- effective policy levers for both circular production and consumption;
- impacts on climate, environment, economy and society, in line with European Green Deal objectives.
Explore and Learn
Access CircEUlar’s scientific evidence across mobility, buildings, consumption and digitalisation.
Access the project’s public deliverables and other public reports.
Access the Zenodo Community to explore the open-source resources developed by CircEUlar.
Circular ReBoundary
A New Online Resource for Circular Economy Professionals
The Circular ReBoundary is an innovative online resource designed to support professionals and organizations engaged in the transition toward a circular economy.
This resource offers an insightful learning journey for anyone interested in circular practices, whether new to the field or already experienced. While it focuses on the buildings, mobility, and manufacturing sectors, its findings and tools are relevant to a wide range of industries
Exploring Circularity Through Science and Art
We have collected some inspiring intersections in a video series featuring interviews with artists, curators, and project partners.
Within the framework of the Klima Biennale Wien, a unique collaboration between science and art highlighted CircEUlar’s research findings through the lens of artists. Over a four-month period, a distinguished curator, Nora Mayr, facilitated dynamic exchanges between four groups of researchers from CircEUlar with the artists Barbara Kapusta, Borjana Ventzislavova, Julian Palacz, and Imayna Caceres.
Under the title “Sensing Resonance“, these collaborative efforts between science and art resulted in a series of artworks for communicating climate and scientific knowledge.
Bringing together the public and stakeholders from culture, science, education, and schools, the event sparked cross-disciplinary dialogue through a combination of good practice examples, workshops, and scientific, practical, and artistic impulses.