Enabling circular economy practices in regional contexts: Insights from the UK Southwest

Abstract

While much research has focused on embedding circular economy (CE) practices in urban contexts, there is growing interest in the opportunities and challenges of rural settings. Adopting a regional lens can account for local knowledge, collective practices and community memory, yet CE conceptualisations often lack both a place-based dimension and a consideration of regional stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of various stakeholders, in driving the adoption and implementation of CE practices at a regional level. We do this through engagement with 31 participants from business, governance and community groups in a peripheral region situated in the Southwest of the UK. Using stakeholder theory and thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation and workshop scripts, we identify ‘influencers’ as a key stakeholder group leading the implementation of regional CE goals and practices. Furthermore, we highlight key barriers and enabling factors which underpin interactions among different stakeholder groups and discuss their implications for regional CE transition.