Sustainable Development and the Circular Economy and Its Role in Achieving Environmental and Economic Development: Applied Study in the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Japan

Abstract

This research purpose to analyze the complementary relationship between sustainable development (SD) and the circle economy, and their role in promoting environmental and economic growth, through an applied survey of the experiences of the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Japan. The study income from the premise that the circular economy (CE) is an effective tool to accomplish the SD goals by reducing the depletion of natural finance, reducing pollution, and promoted innovation and investment in green sphere. The research relied on the testing comparison methodology, by analyzing the guideline and strategies adopted by the four countries in subjects such as waste management, renewable power, clean production, and environmental education. The results demonstrate that the studied countries been successful to varying degrees in integrating the fundamentals of the CE into their growth plans, which contributed to improving green performance indicators, growing economic efficiency, and establishing green job opportunities. The study concluded that the round economy not only constitute an environmental dimension, but also constitutes a strategic economic stanchion for SD. It recommends that developing countries accept similar policies that take into narrative their economic and social specificities, while strengthening global cooperation in the area of exchange of experiences and capacity-building.