Circular systemic solutions and their adaption in a regional innovation scheme

The COVID-19 outbreak has revealed the worldwide weaknesses of the current production and consumption model, which is currently built on dissipation of natural resources, relocation of production, disconnection with territories and communities for the realization of short-range objectives. The adoption of a Sustainable Consumption and Production model linked with circular economy serves the objectives of resource efficiency promotion by realising economic growth along with environmental and societal harmony through reduction of resources usage and waste generation. The key elements of this approach is involve subjects like cleaner production, waste management, energy and material flow analysis, and effective collaboration among them. The circularity on regional level will be achieved through the deployment of highly replicable, modular and scalable circular systemic solutions based on a multi-stakeholder approach putting citizens’ needs at the centre of development. This systemic approach addresses four key strategic sectors linked with the decarbonisation of Europe, namely: Wood Packaging, Food and Feed, Water and Nutrients as well as Plastics and Rubber. In this study, these flexible and modular circular systemic solutions toward an inclusive and resilient climate-neutral and systemic circular (bio)economy transition are presented and will be demonstrated in the framework of the “FrontSH1P” project in the Lodzkie Region. The synergy of these solutions prepares the ground for a sustainable circular economy which will be reflected in delivering important energy savings and environmental benefits for the region and creating local jobs and opportunities for social integration.