Currently, the definitions of the concept of Circular Economy are very diverse, depending on the sector, scope and possible impacts, so they not only focus on environmental indicators but also consider social indicators (quality of life, health, employment generation, etc.).

Within this context, there are many reasons why companies want to be able to quantify the contribution of their actions to progress in adopting Circular Economy models.

These include knowing which value circular initiatives are generating for the organisation, the progressive integration of circularity throughout the business model based on impact data, the management of risks associated with the existing linear model and the promotion of responsible and sustainable management that generates a triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental). 

Therefore, it is necessary to reach a consensus on indicators that allow the impact of these actions to be measured beyond the mere efficiency of resources (water, energy and raw materials) and serve for the adoption of strategic business decisions based on quantifying the company's impact globally.

Objective

These indicators would also help public administrations to evaluate their policies and actions (e.g. environmental labels).

Therefore, it is essential to have tools that clarify questions such as what to measure, how to measure and what to measure for. Only then will we have criteria by which companies can evaluate the implementation of eco-innovations and circular economy actions regarding cost/benefit. 

This multidisciplinary approach requires quite complex analysis. Therefore, we decided to be more ambitious and bring together complementary agents of the Valencian Region (research groups, companies, public administrations, etc.) working on aspects related to the implementation of methodologies, technologies and practices based on the concept of Circular Economy around a Network/ Platform for Research and Promotion of the Circular Economy coordinated by the "Innovation Lab on Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis" of the UPV.

The Network was initially driven by four other research organisations in the Valencian Community. Still, we are currently working on incorporating more entities interested in implementing models based on the circular economy. 

The "Innovation Lab on Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis" of the UPV is integrated by a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in studying the concepts of Eco-innovation, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Industrial Symbiosis and Social Innovation. It has a broad experience in sectors such as the Tourism Industry, the Automotive Sector or the Ceramic Sector.

The lab is led by Ángel Peiró Signes and Mª del Val Segarra Oña. The researchers who, together with the UPV, currently are part of the Network belong to the rest of the Valencian Public Universities:

• Universitat de Valencia Estudi General: Francisco Puig Blanco, with extensive experience in the textile and transport sectors, as well as in clusters and regional development, coordinates the "GESTOR" Research Group (Organisational Geostrategy: Clusters and Competitiveness). They will collaborate in the identification of stakeholders and the elaboration of strategic reports.

• Universidad de Alicante: Professor Bartolomé Marco Lajara and his research group, Strategic Management, Knowledge and Innovation in a Global Economy (DECI-GLOBAL), are experts in sustainability and the tourism sector). Professor Marco is the director of the Business Organisation department of the UA and is also a member of the IUIT (University Institute of Tourism Research). They will collaborate to identify stakeholders, organise and develop focus groups, and write reports.

• Universitat Jaume I, Professor Xavier Molina Morales and his research group AERT are experts in clusters, regional development and aspects of logistics and supply chains, such as the Circular Economy). This research group comprises a coordinator, five professors and a trainee. They will collaborate to identify stakeholders, organise and develop focus groups, and write reports.

• Universitat Miguel Hernández: Professor José María Gómez Gras, from the Department of Economic and Financial Studies, leads the research group "Promotion and Creation of Enterprises" and the Observatory "Global Entrepreneurship Monitor" in the Valencian Community, and is currently Director of Innovation and Transfer of the UMH (since 2011) and responsible for the Official MBA specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship of the UMH (since 13 editions). They will collaborate to identify stakeholders, organise and develop focus groups, and write reports.

The result of this collaboration has been the launch of a project funded by the AVI for the development, promotion and implementation of a "Circular Economy Strategy in the Tourism Sector of the Valencian Community" as the first sector to be studied by the members of the Network in the coming years and on which it will focus its activity of study, revitalisation and promotion of the Circular Economy. 

This proposal aims to promote the Circular Economy in the Tourism Sector by transferring results and incorporating eco-innovations and circular economy actions in terms of products, processes and organisational practices.

To achieve this, we are developing activities in collaboration with critical agents in the Valencian Community with the dual purpose of, on the one hand, auditing the needs of the sector and detecting the potential for improvement in favour of sustainability through the involvement of the different stakeholders involved and, on the other hand, analysing the results of research for the development and incorporation of eco-innovative technologies and methodologies in these fields of improvement, thus connecting the sector with R&D&I. 

Invat.tur Network

As a result of the project Invat.tur Network (Valencian Institute of Tourism Technologies) has joined. Invat.tur Invat.tur is a reference centre for R&D&I projects and for adapting to new trends in tourism, including those related to quality and sustainability.

This institute provides a platform for all tourism industry stakeholders and has regularly collaborated in R&D&I research activities with associations and universities. Its participation in the project will focus on helping to contact companies and destinations in the tourism industry.

They will participate in meetings or focus groups, as well as in interviews, to provide their knowledge, perspective, knowledge and interests in the field of the project. It will also participate in disseminating the final or partial results of the project both in research journals and congresses and in general publications related to the tourism industry. 

Tourism industry organisations

Furthermore, other organisations and associations related to the Tourism Industry are expected to join, including FOTUR (Leisure, Tourism and Gaming Federation of the Region of Valencia), APEHA (Provincial Association of Hotel and Catering Entrepreneurs of Alicante), VISIT BENIDORM or Fundación Turismo de Benidorm de la Comunidad Valenciana. 

To evaluate the implementation of innovative practices and technologies to promote the Circular Economy, we will need indicators to assess them in terms of cost/benefit. We propose to conduct different analyses to translate these benefits in terms of environmental footprint.

In other words, it is proposed to work on defining sectoral indicators, methodologies and tools so that companies can assess which innovations generate the most benefit in terms of environmental footprint. This would enable companies to perform audits to evaluate the overall impact of their activity in terms of their environmental footprint and, for public administrations, make it possible to grant certification. 

As indicated in the documents Circular Economy Action Plan 2021-2030 (MITECO, 2021), "Action Plan for an Effective Transition to the Circular Economy", and "Prospective Study of Economic Activities related to the Circular Economy in Spain", the implementation of models based on Circular Economy concepts will generate new employment niches, such as that of Circular Economy Manager.

Moreover, this growth of the economy and employment will entail adopting new models of production and organisation, affecting a wide range of occupations that require adaptation to these models, known as "greening".

Creating the Circular Economy Network is an excellent opportunity to provide knowledge for supporting and training technicians in developing new environmental consultancy services, implementing methodologies and strategies in the circular economy, and audit/certification. Therefore, the Network aims to promote a unique training programme in Spain to prepare these future experts.

Consultancy and training

Finally, the analysis and knowledge generated allow for the promotion of a consultancy and training service to support other research groups and entities in incorporating cross-cutting circular economy and industrial symbiosis criteria in new R&D&I project proposals and companies implementing circular economy models.

The know-how acquired also enables the promotion of a continuous improvement service in circular economy and impact assessment in terms of environmental footprint/carbon footprint, as well as a training programme for consultants and management technicians in circular economy and environmental footprint.