Current understanding of why environmental and climate targets linked to resource use are not achieved is limited. In particular, there is a lack of clarity on how companies, organisations and other actors interpret and implement policy instruments and political goals in practice. This creates uncertainty about which measures can effectively support the transition to a circular economy.
The project aims to compile and analyse existing knowledge on policy development, ecodesign and value systems in order to better understand the barriers and opportunities that influence the transition. Special attention is given to measures that increase material circulation and extend the life of products and components. The project also examines why secondary raw materials often struggle to compete with virgin materials, and how major value losses can be reduced across different life cycles.
By synthesising research, reports, standardisation work and ongoing policy processes, the project builds a comprehensive overview of how current policy instruments function and how new policy combinations could support the transition. The project is carried out in close dialogue with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and a reference group, enabling needs-driven analyses and rapid dissemination of results.
Project objectives
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Identify the reasons why environmental, climate and Agenda 2030 targets linked to resource use are not being achieved.
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Deepen understanding of how companies and other actors interpret and implement policy instruments for a circular economy.
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Analyse the gap between what current policy instruments can achieve and what is required to meet the targets.
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Develop syntheses of policy conditions, ecodesign and actors’ scope to act within different value systems.
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Identify areas where new policy instruments or further knowledge are needed.
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Strengthen collaboration between researchers, public authorities and other actors in the transition.
Project period: 2025–2026
