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Circular economy versus planetary limits: a Slovak forestry sector case study

Andreas Beckmann (WWF Central and Eastern Europe, Wien, Austria)
Uthayasankar Sivarajah (School of Management, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK)
Zahir Irani (University of Bradford, Bradford, UK)

Journal of Enterprise Information Management

ISSN: 1741-0398

Article publication date: 18 December 2020

Issue publication date: 11 November 2021

639

Abstract

Purpose

Circular economy is presented as an approach to economic growth that is in line with sustainable development. However, the recent literature has highlighted the limits of the concept in terms of environmental sustainability. The study examines the relationship between circular economy and conservation of ecosystems, using a case study on the implications of a circular economy for Slovak forests and forest sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a qualitative methodology through a focused review of the relevant literature on circular economy and sustainable development and primary data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts and practitioners in the forest sector, forest conservation and circular economy context, both from within as well as outside of Slovakia.

Findings

The study finds that the forestry sector has an important role to play in a shift to a circular economy in Slovakia, with significant opportunities for improved efficiency as well as substitution of wood for non-renewable resources. There is also growing potential for ecosystem stewardship and restoration. However, the increased application of biomass could crowd out other needs, including for biodiversity. Safeguarding these services depends ultimately on good governance.

Originality/value

The study highlights that circular economy taken in a narrow focus on resource efficiency is insufficient to ensure environmental sustainability but rather needs to be set within the broader environmental and social context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and all the interview participants from the various organizations for their valuable time, support as well as follow-up discussions and correspondences to help with this research.

Citation

Beckmann, A., Sivarajah, U. and Irani, Z. (2021), "Circular economy versus planetary limits: a Slovak forestry sector case study", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 34 No. 6, pp. 1673-1698. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-03-2020-0110

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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