The expectations for the circular economy – (1) a perfect circle of slow material flows; (2) a shift from consumer to user; (3) growth through circularity and decoupling; and (4) a solution to European renewal – carve out a common future where only winners exist.
The findings show that the European discussion sets high hopes on what circular economy can do. Less emphasis is given to the actions required for making systemic change. The danger here is that the assumptions underpinning these expectations may become taken-for-granted statements, the result being that space for critical and hesitative reflection diminishes.
Narrating expectations for the circular economy: Towards a common and contested European transition by David Lazarevic and Helena Valve is published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science.