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Intersections between planetary boundaries and the circular economy

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About the project

On the one hand, planetary boundaries (PBs) encompass nine key earth-system processes that define a safe operating space for humanity and maintain the stability of the earth’s life-supporting systems. However, PBs lack local and regional application due to the global and interactive nature of the boundaries and to the extremely general and scientific evidence-based nature of the PB concept. On the other hand, circular economy (CE) emerged as an umbrella concept, aiming to encapsulate and connect separate knowledge areas and experiences under the common theme of resource efficiency and reduced environmental impacts. However, the capacity of a CE to create the conditions required for meeting human needs within PBs is far from being proven.

This knowledge synthesis report addresses this double-sided challenge by exploring the intersections between PBs and a CE on a conceptual level, building on three sub-objectives: (1) define and evaluate the PB framework; (2) define and evaluate the concept and narratives of CE; and (3) define and evaluate where PBs and CE currently stand and where they should overlap (the intersections). We dug into relevant peer-reviewed articles published in international journals between 2010 and 2019. The results of the literature review helped identify and conceptualize the correlations between CE and PBs based on conceptual grounds and several knowledge spheres to guide policy, governments and businesses in order to achieve coherence in the management of natural resources.

Key findings

Policy implications

Further information

Read the full report

Contact the researchers

Emmanuel Raufflet, professor at HEC Montreal and director of the Master of Management and Sustainable Development at HEC; emmanuel.raufflet@hec.ca

Geoffrey Lonca, postdoctoral researcher at the department of Management and lecturer at the department of Management of operations and logistics at HEC Montreal; geoffrey.lonca@hec.ca

The views expressed in this evidence brief are those of the authors and not those of SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR and the Government of Canada

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