Exploring the Sustainability Performance of Circular Business Models in the Built Environment

Abstract The Circular Economy (CE) emerged in the last decade as an imperative path to transition towards more sustainable practices and go beyond carbon neutrality. Applying CE principle in the built environment has been investigated and recent research advocated for positive impacts if the sector embraces the paradigm shift and moves away from linear towards more circularity. Similarly, the literature regarding Circular Business Models (CBMs) has witnessed substantial growth as the latter holds the promise of providing a blueprint on how to make a financial profit while applying CE principles. Nonetheless, a gap remains in understanding the actual impact of CBMs in the built environment from a sustainability perspective. This paper will explore current literature regarding the environmental, economic, and social impacts of CBMs in the built environment to address this gap and provide a clearer understanding of the dynamics of circularity and sustainability. This exploratory research will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of CBMs in fostering sustainability within the built environment.