Can the circular economy deliver positive social outcomes? An exploration using human-scale development principles
File(s)
Author(s)
Clube, Rebecca Katherine Murray
Type
Thesis
Abstract
This Circular Economy (“CE”) has emerged as a topic of interest amongst a range of stakeholders. The concept is framed as having the potential to overturn the prevailing extractive and polluting linear system to a circular alternative, whilst delivering various economic, environmental and social benefits. However, despite enthusiasm regarding the concept’s transformative potential, there remains a lack of compelling societal narrative for the CE’s adoption. The literature often contains general references to positive social outcomes but without elaborating how the CE can address or ameliorate acute sustainable development challenges, such as equity, inclusion, justice and human health. Hence, this presents a gap in the current discussion. This thesis proposes that a CE that can satisfy human needs would provide a compelling social narrative, aligning the CE vision with sustainable development. Max-Neef’s Human-Scale Development (H-SD) Proposal is utilised as a lens for analysis throughout this thesis. Both primary and secondary qualitative methods are utilised, including document analysis, interviews and a case study to explore seminal and developing CE narratives using the H-SD framing. This includes both macro-level analysis and industry-specific exploration (fashion textiles). This thesis builds on a small, but emerging, literature base that argues that the CE – in its current dominant form - could reproduce the unfavourable social characteristics that exist in the linear system. On this basis, the penultimate chapter includes a proposal for a radical reframing of the CE based on H-SD principles, the Social CE.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2023-02-08
Date Awarded
2024-03-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Tennant, Mike
Sponsor
Imperial College London
Publisher Department
Centre for Environmental Policy
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)