Summary
This 2022 systematic review examines the scientific literature on circular economy principles in agriculture through a lifecycle assessment lens. The authors document substantial variation in quantitative outcomes across studies, attributing this to differences in scope, geography, and system definition. The synthesis identifies current measurement practices and methodological challenges in assessing circular agricultural systems, advancing understanding of how the circular economy concept has been operationalised and evaluated in peer-reviewed research.
UK applicability
The review's synthesis of lifecycle assessment methods and circular economy metrics is directly applicable to UK agricultural policy and practice, particularly as the UK develops farm sustainability standards and circular economy frameworks. The documented heterogeneity in measurement approaches may inform development of standardised assessment protocols for UK farming systems.
Key measures
Lifecycle assessment metrics for resource recovery, waste minimisation, nutrient cycling, and circular economy operationalisation in agriculture
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised peer-reviewed literature on how circular economy principles in agriculture have been operationalised and measured using lifecycle assessment methods. It documented heterogeneity in quantitative outcomes and identified methodological challenges in assessing resource recovery, waste minimisation, and nutrient cycling across agricultural systems.
Topic tags
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