Understanding the circular economy in Europe, from resource efficiency to sharing platforms: the CEPS framework

This report aims to rethink the concept of the “circular economy” through the prism of its relevance to its many stakeholders, ranging from public and private actors and mature and emerging industries to cities and regions, SMEs and multi‐sectoral corporations. With the introduction of the “Circular Economy Progress for Stakeholders” Framework, this paper aims to provide a tool for policy‐makers and business to identify sectors and stakeholders affected by the transition to a circular economy.

By identifying eight building blocks of the circular economy and various stakeholders engaged in these blocks, the CEPS Framework allows for a standardized approach to policy‐making for the circular economy and for creating synergies between various building blocks and stakeholders. The incorporation of the CEPS Framework into EU policy would thus allow Europe to better exploit the opportunities offered by the circular economy.

On the basis of the CEPS framework, the paper also proposes to strengthen the three ‘pillars’ of the circular economy: 1) environmental benefits, 2) cost savings from reduced natural resource needs and 3) additional economic benefits reaped from the creation of new markets. The paper suggests that the implementation of the CEPS framework and the policy recommendations associated with the three pillars will help to fully integrate the principles of the circular economy principles the European economy.

Read the report (external link)