European Journal of Social Impact and Circular Economy

The transition from a “city of waste” to a “circular city”: virtuous practices in the city of Pavia

Beatrice Re — 2023-12-08

Cities are facing the greatest challenge of their whole lifecycle: choosing their own destiny. Cities are the main contributors to climate change, as much of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes from them. Understanding how cities can transform into “circular cities” is key to fostering change. However, empirical studies in this direction are still scant. In this paper, we address this research gap by answering the following research question: how are current “cities of waste” transitioning to “circular cities”? We do so by means of an empirical study involving several stakeholders located in the town of Pavia (Northern Italy). We find that some actors have implemented virtuous circular economy (CE) practices; however, the transition to CE is overall conducted in a fragmented manner, with a lack of orchestration and planning among private actors as well as lack of synergies between private and public actors. We conclude our study by advancing future avenues of research, highlighting our theoretical and managerial contributions, and advancing policy implications.

Regional demolition waste treatment capacity: a case study based on the identification of building selective deconstruction value chain’s stakeholders

BENJAMIN CORDRIE — 2023-12-08

The construction and demolition sector is a major contributor to waste generation, prompting European and national public authorities to adopt a waste management strategy based on circular economy (CE) principles. This strategy aims to promote the reuse and recycling of construction materials. A key prerequisite for this strategy is selective deconstruction, which allows for more efficient waste recovery by separating materials based on their treatment, reuse, recycling and landfill potential. Selective deconstruction involves a value chain that includes a range of stakeholders. This paper proposes a methodology for identifying the stakeholders involved in this value chain, from project owners to waste reclamation and recycling companies. This methodology is applied to the Lille European Metropolis (France – LEM) to estimate the Deconstruction Resources Treatment Capacity of this Region (DRTCR). Finally, this capacity is analysed in relation to the volume of resources generated by deconstruction, and to the objectives set by the circular economy strategy. Results demonstrate the importance of developing selective deconstruction at a local scale, and highlight the need for investment in this sector and potential of sustainable business.

Understanding the concern to communicate climate change

Jaymund Marino Floranza — 2023-12-08

The study understands the concern of communicating climate change and the strategies adopted to communicate climate change among the respondent-barangay-residents in Northeast of Catanduanes. The research data gathered through the online questionnaire generated significant scientific insight. They provided necessary implications that the respondents are much concerned with the effects of climate change, particularly the flooding due to extreme weather. Since the respondents themselves are experiencing climate issues, and thus inferred that successful climate change communication can be in the form of local matters where people can easily connect with climate issues. Another finding suggests that climate change mitigation is relayed not in a strict mode but in a personal manner that leads to communicating the matter to their family and friends. The climate-risk information shared is not authoritarian, which may compel an individual to climate change mitigation. The significant findings imply drafting a training design to enhance the concern about communicating climate change among barangay residents. The study recommended the following: Monitor and assess climate information and promote a climate-friendly environment by connecting climate issues with other social, economic, and ecological issues to stimulate interest among its recipient; Research outputs presented in Research Conferences, be deliberated to all concerned, and published in a refereed journal for information and widest dissemination; A future research may be about anthropogenic Climate Change Consciousness and Climate Action embracing data on environmental factors that create changes in the environment.

Assessing Building Sustainability: Economic, Environmental, and Social Dimensions Explored

Paolo Biancone — 2023-12-21

This research focuses on the importance of impact assessment in the construction sector, aligning with the United Nations' 2030 agenda for sustainable urban development. It emphasizes the need to incorporate economic, environmental, and social considerations into these assessments. A bibliometric analysis reveals an escalating interest in this field, particularly since 2015, illustrating the significant contribution of academic research to disseminating knowledge in this area. The paper highlights the crucial role of integrating these three sustainability dimensions in evaluating building impacts. Life cycle analysis, sustainable material use, and environmental impact assessments emerge as thematic clusters. Geographically, China stands out as the leading contributor to the topic, followed by the USA, Italy, and the UK, suggesting profound cross-country collaborations. The analysis indicates an inverse relationship between renovation costs and sustainability, emphasizing the need to balance demands and costs during the construction and renovation. Within this context, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) stands out as the favored measurement model, accounting for various inputs and outputs, including environmental, social, and economic impacts. European policies champion building sustainability, advocating for circular economy approaches and CO2 emission reductions. Independent committees or agencies are perceived as a catalyst for sustainability in building processes. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including exclusive reliance on the Scopus database and potential subjectivity in thematic analysis. Future research could benefit from additional databases like Web of Science, advanced thematic analysis software, and comprehensive case studies. Further engaging consumers in the building sustainability perspective may also present a promising research avenue.