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Circular Economy

A circular economy is an economic model focused on minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency by reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials. It emphasises designing out waste, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, offering opportunities for sustainable growth and resilience. Companies that demonstrate circularity can enhance long-term business resilience, resource efficiency and cost-savings.

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Unlocking textile circularity in the EU: From challenges to opportunities

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
This report examines barriers and enablers for scaling up textile recycling in the EU. Combining literature reviews with 20 stakeholder interviews, it identifies technological, financial, and regulatory constraints. Recommendations include supporting demand-side measures, funding sorting technology research, and strengthening value chain collaboration to achieve circularity targets.
Research
1 September 2026

Analysing the EU policy mix for the built environment from a sufficiency perspective

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
This research assesses the integration of sufficiency principles into European Union building policies. Analysing 16 policy documents, it finds that while measures for reducing consumption and environmental sustainability are prevalent, social dimensions and behavioural changes are often neglected. It recommends prioritising building renovation over new construction to meet sustainability goals.
Research
5 September 2026

Breaking the bottleneck: How advance market commitments can bridge the supply-demand gap in recycled materials

The Circulate Initiative
This research evaluates advance market commitments to bridge the supply-demand imbalance for recycled materials. It identifies opportunities in mixed plastic, textile waste, and paper-based alternatives, advocating for binding financial agreements to incentivise investment in recycling capacity and support global sustainability targets.
Research
1 September 2026

Metals-as-a-Service economic analysis: Comparing the MAAS and linear business models in the context of a wind project

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This research compares Metals-as-a-Service (MaaS) and linear business models in onshore wind projects. It finds that MaaS improves risk-adjusted performance, increasing project internal rate of return to 19.94% and reducing levelised cost of energy by 15%. The analysis assesses financial viability and risk mitigation strategies for stakeholders.
Research
7 May 2026

Circular economy practice in India: Three case studies

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
This report examines India’s transition to a circular economy, highlighting policy frameworks like Extended Producer Responsibility and NITI Aayog’s strategic focus areas. Through case studies of Siemens, Tata Steel, and Volvo Construction Equipment, it demonstrates how circular principles drive resource efficiency, waste reduction, and business value.
Research
26 December 2025

Employment in the circular economy: Leveraging circularity to create decent work

Circle Economy
This report provides a global baseline for circular economy employment, estimating that 121 to 142 million people work in the sector. Produced by Circle Economy, the ILO, and World Bank Group, it highlights the prevalence of informal work and the need for policies ensuring a just, inclusive transition.
Research
30 November 2025

Urban planning for the circular economy: A spatial turn in theory and practice

European Commission
This report examines how urban planning can operationalise the circular economy by addressing spatial dimensions. Drawing on European city experiences, it explores circular developments, infrastructure, land management and multi-level governance. It provides strategic directions for integrating circularity into core planning instruments to support systemic, territorially grounded transitions.
Research
13 April 2026

Plastic footprint guidelines

EarthAction
The Plastic Footprint Network's guidance document presents a science-based methodology for assessing corporate plastic footprints. Developed by over 100 professionals from 35 organisations, the framework comprises 11 modules covering macroplastics and microplastics, providing practitioners with a step-by-step process for measuring plastic leakage and reporting results.
Research
1 November 2023

Metals-as-a-Service: A strategic and investable circular business model for the wind energy industry and beyond

Carbon Trust
Metals-as-a-Service (MaaS) proposes a circular business model for the wind energy sector and beyond, in which metal ownership is retained by a Special Purpose Vehicle throughout the asset lifecycle. The model converts metal procurement from capital expenditure into a service-based structure, enabling securitisation, improved supply security, and circular value creation.
Research
11 May 2026

Leading the charge: Turning risk into reward with a circular economy for EV batteries and critical minerals

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
This report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation examines systemic risks in the EV battery value chain and sets out a circular economy framework, identifying five bright spots — battery design, rightsizing, circular business models, regional infrastructure, and data transparency — to build resilience and reduce critical mineral demand.
Research
4 March 2026

What a waste 3.0: Global snapshot of solid waste management toward circularity until 2050

The World Bank
What a Waste 3.0 provides a global assessment of municipal solid waste management across 217 countries and economies. It analyses waste generation, collection, treatment, recycling, financing, employment, climate impacts and circularity pathways to 2050, highlighting rising waste volumes, infrastructure investment needs, resource recovery opportunities and policy frameworks for sustainable waste systems.
Research
19 March 2026

RIAA Conference Australia 2026 - Companion Resources

Responsible investment has moved well beyond principles and pledges. Today’s challenges require practical capability and informed judgement. The RIAA Conference is a must-attend event for finance, sustainability and industry practitioners who want to focus on the key themes for responsible investment in 2026 and what implementation really looks like. Designed as an immersive, hands-on experience, the program focuses on the systems that underpin strong financial performance, and will help you understand how climate, nature, technology, governance and regulation intersect. 

These specially curated companion resources have been recommended by the conference speakers and Altiorem team.
Article
14 May 2026

Tackling governance and financing for sustainability transitions

International Resource Panel
The report argues current financial systems misallocate capital towards resource-intensive activities, hindering sustainability transitions. It recommends policy, governance and financial reforms to redirect investment towards resource efficiency, low-carbon development and equitable transition pathways, particularly in resource-dependent economies.
Research
6 June 2025

The circular economy: A 'triple play' solution for achieving China's climate objectives

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The report argues that a circular economy can help China meet climate goals by cutting emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, securing critical materials for renewable energy, and improving climate resilience, while outlining policy actions on design, resource management, investment, measurement, and cross-sector collaboration.
Organisation
23 December 2024

Innovation in plastics: The potential and possibilities

Marico Innovation Foundation
This report examines plastic use and waste management, particularly in India, outlining environmental impacts and the need for circular solutions. It reviews bioplastics, packaging redesign, innovation and start-up activity, and proposes policy, business and entrepreneurial opportunities to advance plastics circularity and reduce single-use plastics.
Research
23 December 2023

Ecological design thinking for a circular economy: The impact of the forest metaphor for circular business

Evaluates a forest-metaphor learning tool for circular economy education through comparative workshops in 2023 and 2025. Survey results show the tool deepened understanding, generated more concrete insights and increased productive tension with existing business models, supporting conceptual change and more fruitful engagement with circular business thinking.
Research
25 December 2025
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