Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
Transitioning towards a circular economy is a promising pathway to tackle pressing sustainability challenges at the city level. Indicator-based frameworks, or integrated systems of indicators, are considered to be useful tools for monitoring this transition. The authors present 15 indicator-based frameworks applicable to measure circularity at the city level to fill a gap in mapping and assessing.
The authors used eight criteria (transparency, stakeholder engagement, effective communication, ability to track temporal changes, applicability, alignment with CE principles, validity and relevance to sustainable development) in their frameworks assessment. Additionally, they defined 12 validity requirements to assess to what extent the indicators in the frameworks reflect CE aspects.
The assessment reveals a wide variation regarding the extent to which the frameworks match the criteria with none of them satisfying all. In addition, in terms of validity criterion, none includes indicators that fulfill all the validity requirements. Furthermore, most frameworks consist mainly of environmental indicators and only three include indicators reflecting aspects related to the four pillars of sustainable development (environmental, social, economic and governance). Further research could develop a standardized framework for measuring circularity at the city-level and improving existing frameworks.
SEI Affiliated Researcher
Project / This project provides cities with an adjustable framework to assess their level and potential for circularity.
Project / SAFEWIN studies how offshore wind power can be combined with environmental monitoring and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Perspective / A small group of Asian philanthropists is funding the risky climate solutions others will not, and SEI can learn from how they work.
Other publication / This publication discusses why US policymakers should support the development and integration of compliance and voluntary carbon credit markets.
