How Shall We Start? The Importance of General Indices for Circular Cities in Indonesia

Abstract

The role of the circular economy has attracted increased attention amongst practitioners and policymakers in recent years. It has been broadly developed and applied at different levels (micro, meso and macro) in developed countries. However, to date, the possibility of a circular economy in Indonesia has not been widely explored or discussed by city actors. This gap in research represents an opportunity to investigate options that may foster the adoption of circular economy principles and practices. Which aspects of the circular economy should be of primary concern, considering Indonesia’s current situation? In response to this question, this paper offers a systemic process of lessons learnt as developed from the literature, identifying certain key aspects that could benefit Indonesia. This study mapped important factors and key indicators that have been claimed to have beneficial effects in the application of circular economy principles in cities. The authors developed a protocol to systematize the literature review process to illustrate gaps and to provide and recommend indicators for circular cities. These are equally applicable to the local situation in North Kalimantan, which we selected as a showcase medium-sized city. Empirical data was collected by interviewing different stakeholders to enrich the theoretical set of circular economy indicators. This case study offered the opportunity to gain a more realistic understanding of what circular cities might look like in the Indonesian situation. The findings allowed us to explore and describe the current circular economy city-level discussion. They also provide insight and information for decision-makers and city actors on how to collaborate to develop a framework to advance circular city initiatives.

Circular economy practices in SMEs: aligning model of green economic incentives and environmental commitment

“…, 2022a). Consequently, government regulations must sustain environmental attention (Nurdiana et al. , 2021).…”

“…Second, CE is at an early implementation stage and faces many challenges, particularly infrastructure and regulation (Fatimah et al. , 2020; Nurdiana et al. , 2021).…”

“…First, Indonesia is a developing country with 64.5 million SMEs continuously growing and potentially boosting national economic growth (Arsawan et al, 2022a). Consequently, government regulations must sustain environmental attention (Nurdiana et al, 2021). Second, CE is at an early implementation stage and faces many challenges, particularly infrastructure and regulation (Fatimah et al, 2020;Nurdiana et al, 2021).…”

Challenges of transforming Indonesia’s circular economy in the context of electric vehicle policy

“…This circular economy is tendency that stems from the strength of international political capital, foreign policy lobbying and China's financial capital which influence sustainable orders [8]. A sustainable order is a necessity in sustainable economic activities by considering and paying attention to the value chain in production and consumption patterns with an ongoing material cycle [20].…”

“…Modernization is characterized by the belief that the use of sustainable technology can be mediated by the state and the market that intervenes in social relations, industrial practices, and regulatory regimes that encourage green economy practices [10]. Indonesia's ecological modernization is understood to use the implementation of a circular economy which is a problem solving in dealing with climate change and continuing sustainability that can be implemented in cities in Indonesia [20]. The implementation of a circular economy is believed to have a positive effect on the level of employment, green investment and the creation of a workforce that considers environmental aspects.…”