In addition to these indicators, this section also considers the role of circular procurement as a key mechanism for driving demand for sustainable products and services, influencing both public and private sector practices. While green growth is often proposed as a pathway to achieving a circular economy, it faces significant challenges, including the rebound effect and the difficulty in fully decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. These limitations highlight the need for a deeper focus on circular strategies that reduce overall material consumption and prioritise regenerative systems. This section explores the role of innovation and competitiveness in driving the transition to a circular economy. By examining factors such as a region’s ability to foster innovative solutions, support sustainable business practices, and create employment opportunities in circular economy-related fields, we gain a clearer understanding of how these elements contribute to economic resilience and the success of circular businesses. The focus on innovation reflects the importance of new ideas and technologies, while competitiveness highlights the region's capacity to lead in this transformation. Additionally, Circular Jobs tracks employment that directly supports this transition across all sectors of the economy.
Consists of:
Competitiveness index
A high RCI indicates a competitive ecosystem with the right conditions—such as a skilled workforce, supportive infrastructure, and innovation-driven initiatives—that help businesses grow sustainably and contribute to regional development.
Innovation
By evaluating factors such as research intensity, innovation outputs, and collaboration between businesses and research institutions, the Innovation Index offers valuable insights into a region’s capacity to foster innovation. For circular businesses, this index is crucial in determining the region's ability to support the development and implementation of innovative solutions that drive the transition to a circular economy. It highlights the strengths and challenges of a region’s innovation system, helping to identify areas where targeted actions can enhance support for circular business models.
Sustainable businesses
It assesses companies across seven key dimensions, including circular entrepreneurship, green energy use, biodiversity impact, transparent supply chains, and inclusive business practices. By evaluating company intentions, business integration, and actual results, the index provides a comprehensive picture of how businesses are embedding sustainability into their operations.
Circular jobs
Some jobs will evolve or disappear, while new ‘circular jobs’ will emerge. As businesses move away from the traditional take-make-waste model, workers will need new skills, and businesses must adapt to changing demands. But what exactly are circular jobs, and how can we ensure this transition benefits workers?
The circular economy is built on reusing materials and closing resource loops—processes that are often more labour-intensive than linear production. Activities like repairing, remanufacturing, and resource recovery require both manual and technical skills, from logistics and sorting to engineering and design. If managed well, the transition can create opportunities for workers across all skill levels.
This shift presents a chance to rethink not just material use but also labour markets. By focusing on quality jobs, inclusive workplaces, and continuous learning, we can ensure that workers thrive in a circular economy.
Circular procurement
By prioritizing resource-efficient, reusable, and recycled materials in both public and private procurement, they can foster innovation and create market incentives that accelerate the shift toward a circular economy.
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This section allows you to filter for curated case studies. Curated case studies have been reviewed and approved by knowledgeable individuals in the circular economy to ensure content quality.