Decoupling Growth from Resource Use: Circular Economy in Post-Growth Scenarios

The relationship between circular economy and economic growth is a burgeoning field of research that seeks to understand how sustainable development can be achieved within the constraints of our planetary boundaries. The circular economy aims to increase resource efficiency and reduce waste, while the concepts of post-growth and degrowth challenge the traditional notion that economic growth is inherently beneficial. These debates are gaining traction in policy circles, as evidenced by recent discussions initiated by European parliamentarians. Despite the growing interest, there remains a lack of concrete strategies that integrate these diverse approaches into a coherent framework for sustainable development. Current research has begun to systematize the various perspectives, but significant gaps remain in understanding how these concepts can be practically applied to achieve sustainability.

This Research Topic aims to untangle the complex relationship between circular economy and various growth discourses, including green growth, post-growth, and degrowth. The primary objective is to explore how circular economy strategies can be aligned with the need to operate within planetary boundaries while addressing the challenges posed by different growth paradigms. Key questions include: What role does the circular economy play in these discourses? How can it be designed to respect planetary boundaries? What are the implications for policy and practice? By addressing these questions, the research aims to provide actionable insights that can guide future sustainable development efforts.

To gather further insights into the relationship between circular economy and economic growth, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The role of circular economy in different (post-) growth discourses.
• The scope of current circular economy strategies concerning planetary boundaries and resource availability.
• Strategies and concepts dealing with the decoupling issue and rebound effects.
• Designing a circular economy to respect planetary boundaries in a multi-level system.
• Implications for the development models of countries in the global South.
• Application of circular concepts in cities and regions within post/degrowth scenarios.
• Research methods and methodologies needed for post/degrowth scenarios.
• Policy-relevant implementation strategies.
• Cross-cutting and integrative strategies for various fields of action.
• Appropriate strategies for different actors, including property rights and rights of disposal.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: circular economy, growth concepts, degrowth, postgrowth, economic growth, sustainable development

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.