The (sub)political role of ‘regional circular ecosystems’ in the transformation towards the circular economy: A plural political framework applied to two Dutch case studies

The transition towards a more circular economy (CE) is advancing slowly and is even faltering. Recent CE literature has therefore urged for a more plural-political perspective and for more focus on the region as a practical site or ‘ecosystem’ of transformation. Meeting these calls, this paper develops and applies a conceptual framework bridging plural politics, policy-making and a view of the region as value-based ecosystems. We thus contribute to a plural-political framework of transformation (ranging from top-down formal politics to bottom-up ‘subpolitics’), propelled by ambitions and initiatives towards change from all institutional spheres (business, communities, authorities, education, etc.). Our case study entails two Dutch CE frontrunners, Rijk van Nijmegen and the Province of Friesland. We draw various conclusions. The regions differ markedly in how they navigate different (sub)political modes, through different forms of collaboration. Yet they all meet wider market and regulatory limitations, which need to be overcome for the transition to advance. Moreover, ecosystem development and impact strongly depend on ‘heroic’, well-connected individuals, thereby limiting concerted policy impact.