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Are Soft Legal Measures in Circular Economy Action Plans Enough to Permeate EU Strong Economic Core Regulations Bringing Systemic Sustainable Change?

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  • Alba Nogueira

    (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela)

Abstract

This paper provides a legal assessment of the EU circular economy action plans [2015, 2020] to determine whether their implementation aims at transformative change or is embedded in the prevailing neoliberal ideology. Measures intended to promote the circular economy (CE) are classified according to their public or private nature, the degree of public or private intervention (command and control, economic instruments, information, self-control). It also analyzes how core EU economic policies shield a narrow, technocratic conception of the CE.

Suggested Citation

  • Alba Nogueira, 2023. "Are Soft Legal Measures in Circular Economy Action Plans Enough to Permeate EU Strong Economic Core Regulations Bringing Systemic Sustainable Change?," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1545-1568, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:3:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-022-00227-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-022-00227-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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