A just transition to a circular economy: Operational framework and indicators
Understanding the social implications of circular strategies is crucial for a fair and inclusive transition. Achieving a just transition in the context of a circular economy, however, remains a complex and multifaceted social issue. The following report maps justice dimensions across key stakeholder groups reveals an imbalanced coverage of social impacts: indicators related to workers and consumers are relatively prevalent, whereas those addressing local communities, value chain actors, and society at large remain scarce.
An analysis of potential indicators further highlights that indicators capturing informal labour, Indigenous rights, cultural heritage, and social inclusion in decision-making face persistent methodological and data gaps and that recognitional and systemic dimensions are largely underrepresented. The report concludes that a sector-sensitive approach, with indicators tailored to the R-strategies in each sector, is indispensable for monitoring a just transition to a circular economy. It thereby underscores the need for better data and methods as well as clear institutional commitment and participatory governance.