Transitions in Theory and Practice: Managing Metals in the Circular Economy

Melissa Jackson, Aleta Lederwasch and Damien Giurco
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Melissa Jackson: Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
Aleta Lederwasch: Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
Damien Giurco: Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia

Resources, 2014, vol. 3, issue 3, 1-28

Abstract: Transitioning from current resource management practice dominated by linear economic models of consumption and production, to circular models of resource use, will require insights into the stages and processes associated with socio-technical transitions. This paper is concerned with transitions in practice. It explores two frameworks within the transitions literature—the multi-level perspective and transition management theory—for practical guidance to inform a deliberate transition in practice. The critical futures literature is proposed as a source of tools and methods to be used in conjunction with the transition frameworks to influence and enable transitions in practice. This enhanced practical guidance for initiating action is applied to a specific context—transitioning the Australian metals sector towards a circular economy model. This particular transition case study is relevant because the vision of a circular economy model of resource management is gaining traction internationally, Australia is significant globally as a supplier of finite mineral resources and it will also be used in a collaborative research project on Wealth from Waste to investigate possibilities for the circular economy and metals recycling.

Keywords: transitions; multi-level perspective; transition management; circular economy; metals recycling; critical futures; sustainable futures; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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