A review on barriers, drivers, and stakeholders towards the circular economy: The construction sector perspective

Abstract

The construction sector is one of the most responsible worldly for resource consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The transition to a circular production and consumption system is crucial to reducing the impacts of the sector. However, the lack of clarity and understanding of the principles of circular economy (CE) and the complexity of the construction value chain makes it difficult to implement circular principles in the sector. Through a systematic literature review, this study analyzes the barriers, drivers, and stakeholders that influence the implementation of CE in the sector. The barriers and drivers were classified into five categories (economic, informational, institutional, political, and technological) and the main stakeholders were identified. From the results, the political and technological barriers categories were the most representative, highlighting the need for a governance policy based on regulatory and tax actions, and an integrated waste and information management system. The study's categorical analysis revealed that the lack of CE awareness and communication is the central interrelated agent to promoting circular principles in the sector. The sector needs joint action between government and construction stakeholders to the establishment of public-private partnerships and effective and segmented communication aimed at the circular transition in the sector.