The Macroeconomics of the Circular Economy Transition

The Macroeconomics of the Circular Economy Transition

 The Macroeconomics of the Circular Economy Transition
Type
Author
Andrew McCarthy
Rob Dellink
Ruben Bibas
Publication Date
April, 2018
Country
Other (International organisation)
Language for original content
Scope
OECD Library

This paper reviews the existing literature on modelling the macroeconomic consequences of the transition to a circular economy. It provides insights into the current state of the art on modelling policies to improve resource efficiency and the transition to a circular economy by examining 24 modelling-based assessments of a circular economy transition. Four key conclusions emerge from this literature. First, most models find that a transition to a more circular economy – with an associated reduction in resource extraction and waste generation – could have an insignificant or even positive impact on aggregate macroeconomic outcomes. Second, all models highlight the potential re-allocation effects – both between sectors and regions – of the introduction of circular economy policies.