Toward a Circular Economy Regional Monitoring Framework for European Regions: Conceptual Approach

• Main Author: Anna Avdiushchenko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: circular economy; regional development; sustainable development; monitoring framework
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4398

This paper presents the development of a concept for a circular economy (CE) regional monitoring framework for European countries, an example that can be used by regional policymakers as a supportive instrument for faster and more effective implementation of the CE model of regional development. The work identifies appropriate focus areas and ‘pillars’ for such a framework, and proposes key aspects for evaluating CE-based regional development. The concept for the CE regional monitoring framework is divided into a basic (conceptual) level and an applied (practical) level in order to connect the concept of CE with its practical implementation, evaluation, and monitoring in a given region. The study also highlights the European context of the CE concept and its similarities and differences in relation to existing CE concepts around the world.