Teresa Domenech

Circular Economy Policies in China and Europe

The idea of a circular economy (CE) has become prominent in both European and Chinese policy making. Chinese and European perspectives on a CE share a common conceptual basis and exhibit many similar concerns in seeking to enhance resource efficiency. Yet they also differ, and this article explores differences in the focus of CE policy in China and Europe. We present evidence on the differing understandings of the CE concept in Chinese and European policy discourse, drawing on qualitative and quantitative analysis of policy documents, media articles, and academic publications. We show that the Chinese perspective on the CE is broad, incorporating pollution and other issues alongside waste and resource concerns, and it is framed as a response to the environmental challenges created by rapid growth and industrialization. In contrast, Europes conception of the CE has a narrower environmental scope, focusing more narrowly on waste and resources and opportunities for business. We then examine similarities and differences in the focus of policy activity in the two regions and in the indicators used to measure progress. We show differences in the treatment of issues of scale and place and different priorities across value chains (from design to manufacture, consumption, and waste management). We suggest some reasons for the divergent policy articulation of the CE concept and suggest lessons that each region can learn from the other.

The social aspects of industrial symbiosis: the application of social network analysis to industrial symbiosis networks

This paper explores the potential of the application of social network analysis and network theory to the field of Industrial Symbiosis (IS), both as a methodological stance and as a conceptual framework, as a way to approach an understanding of the complexity of IS networks. We argue that the network approach can provide a comprehensive framework for the understanding of the social aspects behind material and energy exchanges. Aspects such as the structure of networks and the exchange and social conditions under which networks are likely to emerge and thrive are examined in the light of this approach. The main concepts of social network analysis and network theory are introduced and its applicability to IS discussed. A methodology is proposed to be applied to research the social and institutional aspects of IS. Some conclusions from the application of the methodology, its potential and shortcomings are presented.