Summary
This systematic review updates Kirchherr et al.'s 2017 analysis by examining 221 circular economy definitions published in recent years. The authors find evidence of both conceptual consolidation—suggesting emerging scholarly consensus on core CE principles—and continued differentiation across disciplines and sectors. The paper identifies that sustainable development is increasingly positioned as the principal aim of CE, whilst highlighting tensions between environmental sustainability and economic development objectives, and emphasising the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in CE transitions.
Regional applicability
The findings are relevant to UK policy and practice as the circular economy framework underpins UK environmental policy and business strategy. The identified tensions between economic and environmental goals, and the emphasis on systemic supply chain shifts, may inform development of UK circular economy implementation frameworks and sectoral guidance.
Key measures
Frequency and distribution of definitional elements across 221 CE definitions; trends in scholarly recommendations; alignment of definitions with sustainable development goals; stakeholder engagement patterns
Outcomes reported
The study analysed 221 circular economy definitions to assess whether conceptual consolidation has occurred across the field since a 2017 benchmark study. It identified both consolidation around core CE elements and persistent differentiation across disciplinary and sectoral contexts.
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