1. Circular economy in the
Global South – Perspectives from Development Studies
Patrick Schroeder
Date: 18:06:2018

2. Circular economy in development studies
Circular economy practices exist across a wide spectrum of industries and sectors
Artificial intelligence
Product innovation
Business opportunities
Internet of Things
Digital transformation
Smart devices
Marketing strategies
Informal sector
Livelihoods
Health and safety
Inequality
Child labour
Marginalisation
Sustainable Development Goals

3. Circular economy and the SDGs
Schroeder, P.; Anggraeni, K. and Weber, U. (2018) ‘The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals: Circular Economy and SDGs’, Journal of Industrial Ecology, doi: /jiec.12732

4. Circular economy and the SDGs
Schroeder, P.; Anggraeni, K. and Weber, U. (2018) ‘The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals: Circular Economy and SDGs’, Journal of Industrial Ecology, doi: /jiec.12732

5. The circular economy – can be a virtuous circle…
Case studies from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and India demonstrate how supporting (and removing obstacles
to) circular economy business models can provide a triple win:
increasing productivity and economic growth
improving the quality and quantity of employment
saving lives, by reducing environmental impacts such as water pollution, air pollution and climate change

6. Automated circular economy vs livelihoods?
…but be careful what you wish for!
The future of e-waste?
Automated circular economy vs livelihoods?

7. (Some) research questions on Circular Economy in the Development Studies context
What opportunities and solutions does the circular economy offer to the Sustainable Development Goals?
How can the circular economy be more inclusive than the linear economy? How can we design out waste as well as poverty?
What is the link between the circular economy, the digital revolution, automation, future of work and inequality?
Is the circular economy a merely a new business opportunity for large companies in the Global North or does it offer opportunities for sustainability for developing countries?
What is the political economy of the circular economy? What are the tensions between different narratives of the circular economy? Who are the potential winners and losers?