Circular economy and communities – Case studies

The case studies in this report were carried out as part of a survey, coordinated by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Énergie Environnement (AURA-EE) at the request of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, with communities engaged in exemplary energy initiatives that have supported the circular economy and more generally sustainable development initiatives.

These studies should make it possible to analyze and make proposals for improving the articulation between energy initiatives and the circular economy, and thus to support circular economy initiatives. The aim is to provide a decision support tool for regional managers, for those accompanying the territories but also for communities wishing to engage in similar approaches.

The objectives of the approach are:

• to identify circular economy initiatives and to better understand the procedures existing: involvement of local authorities, governance implemented, etc.
• highlight the keys to the success of these approaches, the levers for develop the circular economy,
• collect the needs of communities to allow:
  • the Regional Council to define the circular economy action plan
  • AURA-EE, regional energy and environment agency, to define lines of work to support the regions
  • to communicate about actions carried out and good practices, in particular to destination of other committed or interested communities.

This document presents the reports of the studies carried out on the three communities that were interviewed, a global analysis of these studies and a series of proposals for actions arising. A benchmark work was also carried out in addition, including the summary can be found in the appendix to this document.