Det cirkulära Skåne - ett regionalt perspektiv på hinder och möjligheter för att främja cirkulär företagsamhet

Sammanfattning: Over the past decade, the transition to a circular economy has gained attention as a necessary step towards sustainable development. In contrast to the linear economy that is rooted in a ‘take-make-dispose’ mentality, the circular economy aims to decouple economic growth from unsustainable use of non-renewable resources by closing the material loops in the economy. While the EU recognizes that national and regional authorities have a responsibility to act as catalysts to enable the transition to a circular economy, the Swedish government has been criticized for lacking a coherent strategy or action plan for circular economy in Sweden, and not much research has been made to clarify the role of regional authorities as enablers for a circular economy. The transition to a circular economy can be structured around the development of four building blocks: material and product design, new business models, global reverse networks and enabling conditions. With a focus on the development of new business models and the creation of enabling conditions through policy making, this study aims to investigate current barriers and policy intervention needed to support the development of circular businesses in the region of Scania in southern Sweden. Through literature studies and interviews with regional authorities, organizations and businesses, the results show that businesses face several barriers creating a web of constraints, consisting in the lack of demand for circular products and services, lack of financial incentives and support to invest in innovative business model development, and a lack of knowledge and know-how about the concept of circular economy. At the regional level, development is therefore necessary primarily in the policy areas of public procurement, information and awareness, and the creation of long term political goals and visions for the development of circular economy. Furthermore, this study suggest that regional authorities may act as catalysts for the development of circular business models by creating a web of drivers for a circular economy.