3s1: Labour in the circular economy: a catalyst towards sustainable development

Abstract

In the current technological (e.g. artificial intelligence, internet-of-things) and climatic contexts (e.g. migrations, pandemics), it is important to address issues regarding the future of labour (namely the productivity and the role of labour). Although practitioners mention the circular economy benefits on labour productivity due to the reduction of pollution induced by inadequate waste management (EMAF, 2015; European Union, 2019; Wijkman & Skånberg, 2015), few studies evaluate the circular economy impacts on labour productivity. Most research ascertains the positive effects of the circular economy on the reduction of environmental negative externalities (e.g. resource depletion and pollution) leaving out labour consideration.