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The Geographic Bargain: Why Circular Economy Policy is Spatially Regressive

Abstract

Circular economy policy is often designed and assessed as if its effects were the same across regions. This perspective article presents a conceptual framework connecting circular economy policy with the benefits of geographic concentrations of firms, skills and economic activity. Drawing on research on agglomeration economies and regional development, the authors argue that regions vary in their ability to turn circular obligations into productive outcomes. The article contributes to debates on the geography of the green transition and highlights the need for policy that takes local and regional conditions into account.

Grafström, J., & Larsson, J. P. (2026). The Geographic Bargain: Why Circular Economy Policy is Spatially Regressive. Journal of Circular Economy, 4(2), Article 11.

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© Jonas Grafström and Johan P. Larsson 2026. The article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

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Details

Author: Grafström, J. & Larsson, J. P.
Publication year: 2026
Published in: Journal of Circular Economy, 4(2), Article 11

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Ph.D.
Johan P Larsson
johan.p.larsson@ratio.se
Ph.D. and vice CEO
Jonas Grafström
+46703475854jonas.grafstrom@ratio.se

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