Embedding circularity: Theorizing the social economy, its potential, and its challenges

Ziegler, Rafael; Bauwens, Thomas; Roy, Michael J.; Teasdale, Simon; Fourrier, Ambre; Raufflet, Emmanuel

doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107970

Ecological Economics

2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107970

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Embedding circularity: Theorizing the social economy, its potential, and its challenges

Rafael Ziegler,

Thomas Bauwens,

Michael J. Roy

et al.

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Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 76 publications

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“…Adopting a CE of construction contributes to fostering sustainable cities and societies, in line with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 [7]. The transition to a CE offers several advantages in the economic sector by stimulating innovation, creating new job opportunities, and unlocking economic value from waste streams [8]. Socially, the CE promotes inclusivity by fostering collaborative partnerships, empowering local communities, and enhancing access to affordable and sustainable housing solutions.…”

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confidence: 99%

Beyond Green: Integrating Economic and Social Aspects to Environmental Life Cycle Assessments in Canadian Housing

Keena,

Rondinel-Oviedo,

Pomasonco-Alvis

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Ensuring sustainability in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is essential in the 21st century. This requires addressing the three pillars of sustainability - environment, economy, and society. However, existing evaluation methods, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), primarily focuses on environmental impacts, inadvertently downplaying the significance of economic and social aspects. This study aims to comprehensively assess the environmental performance of residential buildings in Canada while integrating economic and social aspects. Firstly, following the LCA methodology, an environmental analysis was made of a representative model (RM) of Canadian housing to emphasize the circular economy strategies possible within Canada’s AEC industry. The study investigates two scenarios: the CE scenario, in which selective deconstruction strategies are applied to the RM, and the Linear Landfill scenario, in which conventional landfill practices are applied. A life cycle impact assessment is conducted to understand the environmental impacts of the two scenarios, comparing namely carbon footprint, water usage, and fossil resource use. Subsequently, an economic evaluation and cost-benefit analysis, encompassing a Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA), are performed for each scenario. In the CE scenario, secondary materials from reusable or recycled components are incorporated; in the Linear Landfill scenario, only virgin materials are used. To address the social aspect of sustainability, both scenarios are assessed based on the affordability of the RM in three Canadian cities: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The findings highlight essential trade-offs between the three sustainability pillars, indicating positive results in the CE scenario. In the environmental analysis, the CE scenario saves 63% of CO2, 53% of water use, and 48% of fossil resource use when compared to the Linear Landfill scenario. In the economic analysis, the CE scenario is 1.6% higher than the Linear Landfill scenario when two life cycles are considered. Finally, in the social analysis, the average affordability index points out the CE scenario offers 5.23% more affordable housing. This research underscores the significance of a sustainability comprehensive evaluation aspects to provide an initial holistic understanding of the interconnected sustainability pillars, and its findings may have implications by encouraging the use of reused and recycled materials, promoting green financing approaches as better mortgage rates or financial support for sustainable buildings.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Green: Integrating Economic and Social Aspects to Environmental Life Cycle Assessments in Canadian Housing

Keena,

Rondinel-Oviedo,

Pomasonco-Alvis

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Sustainability transition theories: Perpetuating or breaking with the status quo

Biely,

Chakori

2024

Sustainable Development

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How scientists frame problems impact the solutions offered. Since the late 1940s development has been equated with modernization, technology adoption, and economic growth. Contrasting to this technocentric view, an ecocentric view has developed since the 1960s. Despite the criticism of technocentric views and increasing evidence that modern human societies are not reaching their environmental and social goals, technocentric views have remained predominant in the sustainable development discourse. Using a Kuhnian lens, the divide between technocentric and ecocentric perspectives can be framed as distinct paradigms within the sustainable development discourse. This paper outlines the continuation of the divide between technocentric and ecocentric worldviews within sustainability transition studies. It shows that the technocentric view remained predominant and that socio‐technical transition theory fails to break with technocentric and growth‐focused approaches to progress and development. The paper concludes by outlining what could be gained if an ecocentric view became more weight.

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The environmental benefits of grassroots cooperatives in agriculture

Cornée,

Rousselière,

Thelen

2025

Ecological Economics

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Embedding circularity: Theorizing the social economy, its potential, and its challenges

Cited by 9 publications

References 76 publications

Beyond Green: Integrating Economic and Social Aspects to Environmental Life Cycle Assessments in Canadian Housing

Beyond Green: Integrating Economic and Social Aspects to Environmental Life Cycle Assessments in Canadian Housing

Sustainability transition theories: Perpetuating or breaking with the status quo

The environmental benefits of grassroots cooperatives in agriculture

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