Resilient Circular Economy 5.0 in a Global Context

The transformation from linear structures of production, consumption, and disposal to a resilient Circular Economy 5.0, inspired by the EU's concept of Industry 5.0, combines the content requirements of societal transformation, digitalization, the closure of material cycles, and international relations. This transformation is regarded as one of the key challenges for sustainable development. However, the global implications of such a holistically conceived concept of a resilient Circular Economy 5.0 have not yet been sufficiently explored.

The radical changes to material flow systems associated with this transformation would have significant impacts on many countries, particularly in the Global South, if it results in a decline in the outsourcing of resource- and waste-intensive production processes seen in recent decades, as well as a reduction in waste exports for recycling. Currently, there is a lack of specific criteria to evaluate such "spillover effects." These effects could potentially be negative, particularly in terms of a "just transition," if the requirements for a digitized circular economy lead to the isolation of the German or European market.

The working group focuses on the following central questions:

1. What does a resilient Circular Economy 5.0 look like, and how can it contribute to global sustainability?
2. What functions and structural elements are necessary for this? Where are foreseeable interactions, and where is further research needed?
3. What methodological approaches can be formulated to effectively address such research questions, for example, with a view to simulating corresponding processes?

Over the next two years, these questions will be addressed through virtual and in-person meetings of the working group and sub-groups, as well as expert panel discussions. A double-loop learning process will be employed, with a particular focus on involving early-career researchers.

The goal of the working group is to develop a joint scientific article, which will then serve as the foundation for a funding proposal for a DFG Research Group.