The existing economic system is based mostly on the take-make-and-dispose approach powered by fossil fuels. The assumption is that increasing economic growth produces so much surplus that arising adverse environmental impacts could be dealt with. However contemporary global society is no longer sustainable and climate change, resource scarcity, and loss of biodiversity are the concrete proof of the irreversible process where humankind is addressing their future.Circular economy offers an alternative development path. It aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest use and value while minimising waste, emissions, and energy consumption by closing and narrowing material and energy loops. It aims to decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources and it promotes renewable energy systems.During the course students will explore how businesses can create value by reusing and recycling products, how entrepreneurs can come up with clever solutions, how local governments can implement successful waste management practices and how every citizen can contribute to making the Circular Economy happen simply by choosing what to buy. Students will be stimulated to think critically about consumerism and economic systems, understanding how new business and social models based on the Circular Economy can be implemented into everyday life to support regional development, acting locally and contributing globally.At the end of the course, students will be able toUnderstand circular economy and the shift from linear model into resource management and regional development,Apply theories based on circular economy approach to conceive more sustainable everyday habits, implement managerial practices, design sustainable products and services,Apply theories on how to integrate the sharing economy into society,Recognize the most significant environmental impacts of products and processes and their importance in terms of business,Explain the complex interdependencies of both local and global environmental problems,Adopt and innovate new technical solutions,Analytical and critical analysis skills, methodological knowledge for future studies and applied research,To get to know best practices and real examples of circularity in Europe,To work with real case studies from the Netherlands (Blue City Incubator and Think Thank in Circular Economy).

Course Outline:The course is in English.The first part is about Development Theory and the second part explores best practices and case studies in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) where Circular Economy is taking place and gaining momentum.Online classes and a field trip to Rotterdam are how this year's course is organised.Students will pay the field trip costs to Rotterdam (transport, accommodation and entry tickets to Floating Farm, Tropicana Blue City and workshop activities).

Course ContentIntroduction to the Circular Economy / Class OverviewWe investigate the limits of our current linear economy. We’ll discuss planetary boundaries and the risks of continuing on the current trajectory and explore what the circular economy paradigm could look like in everyday life.Circular Economy PrinciplesWe will cover the basic circular economy framework as it is commonly explained and consider the differences between a linear and circular mindset.Growth and SustainabilityWe’ll step back and take a look at the overall economy, including the important link between our monetary system and resource consumption. We’ll also discuss how circular economy relates to sustainability and review various perspectives on the concept of degrowth. We will discuss best practices and 100 ways to circular economy.Waste and Systems-Level ThinkingContinuing to look at the systems level, we’ll study the significant amounts of waste in our global mobility and food systems. We’ll also touch on complexity science and systems thinking as tools to help understand the dynamics of large systems.Biological CyclesBiological ingredients are materials that can be safely reintroduced into the biosphere. This class will investigate cycles for biological materials, including various options to reduce the waste and environmental impact of food production. Material and Product DesignSwitching over to non-biological “technical” ingredients, this class will explore materials and product design for a circular economy, including the concept of biomimicry.ConsumersConsumers are one of the keys to the circular economy revolution.  We’ll also cover how the sharing economy might help enable the circular economy for some types of products.TechnologyRecent technological developments have increased the potential to bring forth a circular economy. This class will explore various technologies that can increase circularity such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and additive manufacturing (3D printing).PolicyGovernments have taken an increased interest in the potential economic, social and environmental benefits from a circular economy. We’ll explore existing and potential policy changes to encourage greater circular flows, including the idea of taxing material resource consumption instead of labor.Business Models -> Field trip to Rotterdam The circular economy philosophy promotes a reconsideration of business models, including offering products “as a service” instead of selling products and transferring ownership to consumers. We’ll explore some of the opportunities and challenges of these circular business models.Circular Economy at the City and Region Level -> Fiel Trip to Rotterdam Cities will contain the vast majority of the world’s population by 2050. We’ll discuss how circular economies could be created in cities and regions, including the idea of industrial symbiosis, where “waste” materials from one industry become input materials for an entirely different industry.

English A2 level

Behrens A., 2016, “Time to connect the dots: what is the link between climate change policy and the circular economy?”, CEPS Policy Briefs n. 337, Center for European Policy Research, Bruxelles.Haas W., Krausmann F., Wiedenhofer D., Heinz M., 2015, “How circular is the global economy? An assessment of material flows, waste production and recycling in the EU and in the world in 2005”, Journal of Industrial Ecology, 19, 5, 765-777.Kirchherr J., Piscicelli L., Bour R., Kostense-Smit E., Muller J., Huibrechtse-Truijens A., Hekkert M., 2018, “Barriers to the Circular Economy: Evidence from the EU”, Ecological Economics, 150, 264-272.Kirchherr J., Reike D., Hekkert M., 2017, “Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions”, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 127, 221-232.Kreiß C., 2014, Geplanter Verschleiß: wie die Industrie uns zu immer mehr und immer schnellerem Konsum antreibt – und wie uns dagegen wehren können, Europa Verlag, Berlin.Kurian M., 2017, “The Water-Energy-Food Nexus- Trade-offs, Thresholds and Transdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Development”, Journal and Environmental Science and Policy, 68, 97- 106.Parker J., 2018, Can a waste plant become Copenhagen’s biggest tourism attraction?, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-22/can-a-waste-plant-become-copenhagen-s- biggest-tourism-attractionWebster K., 2016, The circular economy. The wealth of flows, Ellen McArthur Foundation Publishing, Cowes, Isle of Wight, UKWijkman A., Skånberg K., 2016, The Circular Economy and Benefits for Society Jobs and Climate Clear Winners in an Economy Based on Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency, Report for the Club of Rome, https://www.clubofrome.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/The-Circular-Economy- and-Benefits-for- Society.pdf

Examination methods:Written Test on the Theory and Oral Presentation with visual support of one of the case studies met in Rotterdam

Examination content:The theory explained in class and case studies

Assessment criteria:- Attandance to both lessons and on fied research-  Test on Theory- Presentation of one of the best practices met in Rotterdam