Circular Economy Development both in the Czech Republic and the World

Abstract

The effort to achieve a balance between industrial development, environment, human health and economic growth in the world represents a driving engine of the latest strategies for resource usage and carbon footprint reduction, which include the application of the Circular Economy (CE) concept. The central idea of the CE concept is to increase the value of resources within a closed system to enable the use of a minimum number of natural resources while providing sustainable economic growth. The aim of this paper is to map the history and evolution of the CE concept to highlight its current application. Historical literary sources and scientific studies were used to map the CE concept evolution while policy instruments provided information mainly on current development. The overview indicates both success and failure of the CE projects over time listed by regions. Successful applications of the CE in the Czech Republic have been identified. The results provide useful information for further research seeking to define the CE concept in practical terms and consider potential opportunities that arise during its implementation.The effort to achieve a balance between industrial development, environment, human health and economic growth in the world represents a driving engine of the latest strategies for resource usage and carbon footprint reduction, which include the application of the Circular Economy (CE) concept. The central idea of the CE concept is to increase the value of resources within a closed system to enable the use of a minimum number of natural resources while providing sustainable economic growth. The aim of this paper is to map the history and evolution of the CE concept to highlight its current application. Historical literary sources and scientific studies were used to map the CE concept evolution while policy instruments provided information mainly on current development. The overview indicates both success and failure of the CE projects over time listed by regions. Successful applications of the CE in the Czech Republic have been identified. The results provide useful information for further research seeking to define the CE concept in practical terms and consider potential opportunities that arise during its implementation.