In cooperation with Circular Change, the first Circular Economy platform in the Adriatic Region, the Research Group Circular Economy Systems intends to explore and advance the interdisciplinary theoretical foundations of a Circular Economy in relation to systems research as well as the various applications of a pathway towards it, advancing the current status quo of Circular Economy research and applications.
The concept of a Circular Economy is grounded in the study of feedback-rich non-linear systems, particularly living systems. In this eco-systems framework the research group explores how our economic systems can work like organisms, processing “nutrients” that can be fed back into cycles—on a biological or technical level. The contemporary understanding of the Circular Economy and its applications to small- and large-scale economic systems evolved integrating diverse features and contributions from a variety of concepts sharing the idea of interrelated closed loops.
A Circular Economy is a regenerative system in which resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops, to achieve business as well as national economic models that are economically and environmentally sustainable.
Kenneth Boulding‘s essay “The Economics of the Coming Spaceship Earth” is often referred to as one origin of the concept of the “Circular Economy”. Boulding, who co-founded the Society for General Systems Research (today: ISSS) together with Ludwig von Bertalanffy, was one of the first in 1966 who raised awareness towards an “Open Economy” with unlimited input resources and output sinks as a contrast model to a “Closed Economy” with tied resources and sinks.
At the BCSSS the research group focuses on transdisciplinary research to translate the foundations of systems science into creating further value, in environmental and societal benefits, zero waste and highly productive innovations and Next Economy growth models, to contribute to the necessary systemic shift that builds long-term resilience and future oriented opportunities.
Ladeja Godina Košir is an internationally recognised Circular Economy Leader, the finalist of The Circular Awards / WEF 2018. An entrepreneur with a background in the creative industries, today the driving force of the circular economy in Slovenia and Central-Eastern Europe.
Ladeja is the Founder and Executive Director of Circular Change, the first circular economy platform in the Adriatic Region. She regularly publishes on CE and is a co-author of the “Roadmap for CE in Slovenia”. She is an inspirational speaker and empowering moderator at international CE events.
She is a member of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) coordination group in Brussels. She contributed to different juries and program boards in the field of marketing and innovation and won several national and international awards for her creative work and for development of innovative business models.
Karin Huber-Heim is founder and CEO at ‘csr & communication’, an internationally operating consulting firm for Corporate Sustainability & Innovation, Stakeholder Relationship Management & Communications, and dedicated to reach the Global Goals.
Karin studied communication with a strong focus on psychology at the University of Vienna and has academic education in CSR-Management. She publishes regulary on topics related to sustainable development and is a conference speaker and moderator, she is enthusiastic about the great opportunities the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide for society and embraces Circular Economy for sustainable business innovation. As Board Member of the Global Compact Network Austria, she leads an intersectoral working group on SGD 12, targeting responsible consumption and production, for Circular Economy.
Karin also is Academic Programm Director of a postgraduate masterprogramm on “Sustainability & Responsible Management” and lecturer of Business & Management Ethics, CSR and Stakeholder Communication at various universities of applied sciences.
2019 Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference: Follow Success Stories and New Challenges via Webstreaming
The European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will host the 2019 European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference on March 6th and 7th in Brussels. The leaders of the BCSSS Research Group Circular Economy Systems Ladeja Godina Košir and Karin Huber-Heim are both key figures in the circular economy…
Stefan Blachfellner contribution to the new edition of the Newsweek Vantage on “How Global Business is Embracing the Circular Economy”
BCSSS Managing Director, Stefan Blachfellner, contributed to the newest edition of the Newsweek Vantage, dealing with the topic “Going Circular: How Global Business is Embracing the Circular Economy”. The BCSSS was included in the Newsweek edition as a Circular Economy Systems expert organisation. The Newsweek Vantage makes custom research the bedrock…
Strong Representation of the BCSSS at the Zero Waste HubClub – Jointly Implement the Circular Economy in Austria
Stefan Blachfellner and Marina Naomi Noack from the BCSSS team together with BCSSS Research Group Leader on Circular Economy Systems, Karin Huber-Heim, joined an Impact Hub Vienna event hosted by the Zero Waste Austria HubClub on Circular Economy in January 2019. The main question of the event was: How can…
International participation of the Circular Economy Systems Research Group strenghtens BCSSS ties in science, governance and business
After launching the newest Research Group of the BCSSS “Circular Economy Systems“, the affiliated persons were very active throughout autumn and winter so far. Closing the Loop – A Circular Economy Revolution. In September Karin Huber-Heim joined the this human world film festival, hosted by the United Nations Information Service…
On the way to the 8th European Environmental Program Action Paper – Catalysing a Just Transition to a One Planet Economy
On Monday, 10th of December, Stefan Blachfellner, Managing Director of the BCSSS, was invited to attend the first follow-up event by the Austrian Umweltdachverband (UWD, Environmental Umbrella Organisation) and the Europen Environment Bureau (EEB): Presentation and discussion of the 8th European Environmental Program Action Paper. The 8UAP Action Paper is…
Innovation in Government – Behavioural Insights and Systems Thinking for Policy Making – an Invitation from the OECD
Stefan Blachfellner, BCSSS Managing Director, followed the personal invitation of The Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) to the ‘Innovation in Government: Steps, leaps and bounds’ Conference, on 19th and 20th November 2018 in Paris, France at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OPSI convened…
The BCSSS co-hosted the Disruptive Innovation Festival 2018
The BCSSS co-hosted, together with the Circular Economy Club Vienna (CEC), the Disruptive Innovation Festival 2018 (DIF) in Vienna. The DIF is the world’s largest online festival of ideas, organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is part of a global initiative, where events are taking place at different spots throughout…
We kindly invite you to join us at the Disruptive Innovation Festival on November 15th in Vienna
The BCSSS is co-host of one event of the Disruptive Innovation Festival (DIF). We kindly invite you, together with the Circular Economy Club Vienna, to join us on November 15th from 6 pm to 9 pm. The DIF event will take place at the Certible Premises in Löwelstraße 20, in 1010 Vienna. …