CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2022
| Author | Letiagina, Irina |
|---|---|
| Title | Circular economy challenges in changing world on the example of the pulp and paper industry |
| Summary | Last decade policymakers worldwide used the circular economy concept to establish and promote sustainable development. This approach firstly appeared in western society, but nowadays spread around across the globe. The circular economy is an essential issue following Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement regarding resilience and sustainable growth. A standard definition of the circular economy does not exist. Still, the concept's main idea is to transition from a "take-make-dispose" linear economy based on resource extraction to a circular economy that supports reducing, reusing, and recycling resources. The main aim of the thesis is to explore the current difficulties of implementing circular economy approaches in the deglobalizing world on the example of the European pulp and paper industry as a case study. 1st objective of the thesis is to show which aspects of circular economy are becoming missing and dysfunctional in deglobalizing world. 2nd objective of the study is to show the fate of the pulp and paper industry as a successful traditional example of circular economy implementation under new conditions. 3rd objective of the thesis is to propose biomass-based solutions as a resource for the energy-dependent regions to continue implementing the circular economy approach in the pulp and paper industry under new circumstances. The research design is based on a qualitative method and case study approach, with the pulp and paper industry as an example. During the research process, seventeen Russian experts from the field of the wastepaper recycling industry were interviewed regarding their understanding of the circular economy approach and its implementation in Russia. In relation to 1st objective of the thesis, the term «circular economy» has many definitions, and there is not a single one stipulated. The circular economy also usually does not consider energy production and sources as part of the concept. Energy could be saved but not recycled, so the circular economy approach usually does not view energy cycles and the source of energy, mainly concentrating on the prevention of waste and waste management. In the current situation, the circular economy approach should be developed when it considers material and energy flow across the value chain and a complete picture of the whole life cycle of the products that accept energy consumption, especially right now when the era of free international trade and the globalized economy started transformations to nationalization. In relation to 2nd objective of the study, currently, there is an industry that could be considered circular, and it is a forest-based industry. For example, in Europe, the percentage of biofuel used for paper production is extremely high – more than 60 % and could be even more. Following CEPI statistics, the recycling rate in the European paper industry is approximately 74 %, and the global recycling rate (average) was approximately 58,6 % in 2020. It means that sustainable circular solutions have already existed. In relation to 3rd objective of the study, the pulp and paper industry still has opportunities to improve circularity in production processes. Biomass can be used to generate heat and energy that substitutes fossil fuels and reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases. Circular economy solutions should be profitable. Currently, one of the reasons for the use of biomass is the high price of fossil fuels. Environmental policies also play an essential role in implementing biomass boilers in different industries. For example, in 2019, renewables represented 41% of Sweden's total energy supply in Sweden. Around 60% of renewable energy was from biomass. Policies helped to achieve this result. Sweden implemented investment grants for new equipment, carbon tax, green certificates, and an emission trading system. It means precise tools exist if the state is interested in implementing a bio-based economy. Given these findings, there are the following suggestions to adapt the circular economy approach to modern geopolitical trends: 1. Energy supply and energy sources should be included in the policies and directives regarding the circular economy. 2. Thepolicycoulds timulatetheuseo fbiomassandorga nicresiduestopr oduce biofuels. 3. Policies should secure sustainable management of forests and other natural resources for biomass production. 4. The policy should stimulate local waste handling. 5. Inthepulpandpap erindustry,thep olicycouldlimit theuseofchemica lslike ink, glue, and dye to improve recyclability. Some areas for future research were founded in the process of the study. First, it is essential to communicate with European sustainability professionals to find the gap between theory and practice in the circular economy. It is crucial to analyze policies in countries that highly use biofuel for energy production. Through this research, it is possible to find the best policy practices or market conditions for bio-based economy implementation. Furthermore, it is essential to learn and compare the current financial models of circular economy in different industries to find differences and similarities to find best practices and create predictions regarding the future development of the circular economy. Also, it is important to understand the motivation of those countries with enough hydrocarbons to develop circular economy solutions. International theoretical debates regarding circular economy development could be stimulated by the support of research regarding the bio-based economy as part of the circular economy concept. |
| Supervisor | Mnatsakanian Ruben |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2022/letiagina_irina.pdf |
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