The Circular economy course program aims to introduce the circular economy in the business sector, focusing on the benefits from the concept, and its influence on the business development, environment and job creation, and will propose key steps in its implementation, so that SMEs can recognize and implement circular economy in their business models.
Duration: 140 min.
Language: English
Description:
Module 1: Economic gap between rich and poor countries
Module 1 of the “Circular economy course” aims to provide an introduction to circular economy and show why it is essential to raise the awareness and education on its benefits among businesses and CSOs for transition to circular economy. Therefore, in this module several important topics are covered - basic causes of environmental problems and sustainability, wasteful and unsustainable resource use, poverty, failure to include the harmful environmental costs of goods and services in the market prices, and the insufficient knowledge of how nature works. Additionally, the module speaks about the renewable resources, the sources of pollution, and covers the environmental and health effects of the linear economy.
Module 2: Linear economy vs. circular economy
Module 2 of the “Circular economy course” speaks about the linear economy versus circular economy, covering the circular economy aspects, explaining the reasons why circular economy is so important, the economic arguments for circular economy in Europe, introduces waste policy for waste prevention, how to create a functioning EU market for secondary raw materials, problems with EU waste exports. The aim of this module is to increase the knowledge of the businesses and CSOs of the benefits of circular versus linear economy, and to boost the circular thinking of companies as a new strategy. Thinking circular stimulates innovation, creates a green image, opens new markets and opportunities for growth, and new jobs in the circular activities.
Module 3: Sustainable SMEs development and regional development
Module 3 focuses on sustainable development of SMEs which in the long run will enable sustainable regional development. Small and medium enterprises play a major role in most economies, particularly in developing countries, they account for the majority of business and are important contributors to job creation and economic development. The concept of the circular economy provides a way of thinking to start increasing resource efficiency, and doing this may result in significant business benefits. Additionally, an expansion in circular economy activity appears to offer the potential to create jobs across Europe through reducing cross country differences in unemployment. The potential labor market in Europe by 2030 is to create 1.2 million jobs with a reduction in unemployment in Europe by around 250.000. The module covers important aspects such as innovation and competitiveness of SMEs, financing of SMEs, and reduction of pollution as a consequence of introduction of circular economy in SMEs.
Module 4: Factors for change towards circular economy – Consumers, citizens and public sector
Module 4 aims to introduce the factors for change towards circular economy, as the development in the circular economy is dictated by the consumers, governments and companies together. The world needs to create the right climate around the circular economy which proposes accessible, desirable products and services that consumers will want to buy. The module covers the topics for EU legislation on circular economy, consumers and their attitude towards circular economy, ethics and social responsibility, the changes in technology, corporate social responsibility and consumer ethics.
Module 5: Business models
Module 5 aims to introduce various business models and case studies of circular economy businesses. The new business models would allow creation of services that capture valuable products and resources, enhanced collaboration within the supply chain amongst all actors, innovation through supply chain so new entities can be generated such as business in waste handling, refurbishment, etc. The new business models would also allow greater control of resource stream through the value chain so that the added value can be identified and captured. This module covers several topics related to business models, such as products as a service, introducing sharing models, virtualization, prolonging the life of the product, recycling, reuse, packaging waste and waste management.