Regionalising the circular economy: A three-step integrative review and gap analysis

A Circular Economy (CE) is a promising path to realise sustainable societies across cities, regions, and nations. Yet, the realisation of effective regional circular economies (RCEs) remains underexplored. This paper contributes to advancing RCE knowledge by conducting a three-step integrative literature survey and gap analysis. Successful RCE implementation requires integrated, place-based approaches. These include clearly demarcating regional boundaries; assessing local contexts such as resources, secondary materials, specialisations, key stakeholders, barriers and drivers to CE, path dependencies, and proximity dynamics; and developing policies that support regional clusters, knowledge transfer, and fit-for-purpose indicators (e.g., sector-based), as well as the scaling-up of successful CE initiatives, and spatial planning strategies (e.g., designating land for CE pilots). Territorial governance strategies should engage diverse stakeholders, transition brokers, and interregional collaborations. Implementation should extend beyond the “R-framework” by incorporating reverse logistics, cascading, and industrial symbiosis, alongside robust monitoring mechanisms to adapt and improve initiatives while assessing climate impacts. In addition, our gap analysis reveals critical research needs: developing and testing circular strategies tailored to key local economic specialisations (e.g., agriculture, forestry, mining); bridging the divide between sufficiency, efficiency, and innovation ideals and their practical uptake; addressing the underutilisation of regenerative, reduce, and reuse strategies; clarifying how RCEs influence emission reduction pathways; and how to initiate and mobilize governance structures for CE transitions in regions. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on CE by providing practical insights for ground-level RCE implementation and by highlighting overlooked research areas that are essential for advancing circular transitions in regional settings. • Circular economy at the regional level is largely underexplored. • Place-based and integrated approaches are essential for RCE. • Actionable mechanisms support policymakers and practitioners. • A research agenda addresses critical gaps in RCE literature.