Local Governments Strategizing for the Circular Economy

Abstract

Now that many national governments have adopted ambitions for the circular economy (CE) as means towards sustainable development, local governments are assigned a fundamental role in the implementation into the local ecosystem. However, only explorative research has studied the adoption of the CE at the local level. Therefore, a survey was developed to study the adoption among all 581 Belgian local governments. In total, 309 local governments responded (54%), of which 182 (59%) said to have adopted the CE. Based on the context, content, and process of the CE adoption, two groups were identified, showing different levels of weak versus strong sustainability. These insights support the further adoption of the CE and provide a starting point for future research. Moreover, the survey can be used for future research on other countries or organization and their progress toward the CE.