Biodiversity is both vital for healthy ecosystems and the foundation of our well-being and economy. However, it is under severe threat. The root of the problem is our current unsustainable production and consumption systems. The circular economy is key to transforming these systems.

This briefing explores how the circular economy can reduce the impacts of production and consumption on biodiversity, with a focus on reducing primary resource demand, preventing pollution and biodiversity-friendly sourcing.

This article unpacks the idea of cycles, loops and flows by analysing what socio-ecological cycles are most relevant for sustainability and circularity.

It thus finds a set of seven cycles that are key to better understanding the circular economy and its relation to human and planetary well-being (biogeochemical, ecosystem, resource, power, wealth, knowledge and care cycles).

The article then analyses how and whether dominant circular economy discourses currently address these cycles. It proposes the idea of a circular society as an umbrella concept that can help us better address the critical ecological, social and political implications of a circularity transition.

Moreover, this article develops a set of interrelated strategies to operationalise the circular society concept.