Indicators for a circular economy in a regional context: an approach based on Wielkopolska region, Poland

Abstract

In recent years, the European Commission has made a significant commitment to transition to a circular economy (CE). At the same time, tracking progress in CE implementation remains a major challenge, especially at the regional level. In this context, a set of CE indicators has been proposed for key areas of a selected region of Poland – Wielkopolska, as an area promoting a holistic approach to development through the CE concept. The available scientific literature and key national and regional policies were reviewed. In addition, a desk-research analysis of 22 CE strategic documents of European regions was performed. Applying the aforementioned methods and expert interviews, a set of key 93 indicators was selected within the province’s dominant industries, such as agri-food, industrial processing, mobility and transport, construction and energy. Also, focus was paid to the socio-innovation area. The proposed framework for tracking CE development allows adequate capture of CE’s effects at the regional level. They also provide recommendations for creating monitoring in regions with similar economic profiles.

Company Perspectives on Circular Economy Management, Assessment and Reporting in the Kymenlaakso Region in Finland

“…In addition, it can help to create information to advance the coming together of various regional actors in any geographical location to join forces in the promotion of CE. This study also can be compared to other studies [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] that applied a regionally oriented approach including discussion about their key findings. Openness to discovery and insight were also considered to be very important for the chosen approach [23].…”

“…It has also been recognized that a specific holistic system of indicators can be developed to assess eco-innovations in the context of regional CE development in Europe [31]. The transition toward CE requires the establishment of (1) recommendations for comprehensive support of the CE process, and (2) monitoring of the implementation of CE [32].…”