Eco-Responsibility and Circular Economy in the Green (Sustainable) Built Environment

Introduction

The continuous degradation of the environment due to the actions of the construction industry and the increasing depletion of natural resources as raw materials, have created an urgent need for eco-responsibility and sustainable development.

Construction activities consume a significant amount of limited natural resources, which are increasingly being depleted due to continuous exploitation. Additionally, waste production resulting from human activities during the construction procedures, and from the current activity within the built environment is continuously growing. As a result of these negative consequences, the construction industry, along with the built environment, represents a significant challenge towards greening and implementing sustainable development. The United Nations' Agenda 2030 (UN (United Nation) 2015), which outlines a global blueprint for sustainable development, highlights the need for eco-responsibility and circular economy practices to address these challenges.

Eco-responsibility and circular economy practices have emerged as potential solutions to address the environmental and resource depletion challenges within the construction industry and the built environment (EllenMacArthur and Mckinsey&Co. 2014; European Commission 2014). Eco-responsibility refers to the responsibility of individuals and organizations towards the environment, while the circular economy is an economic model that emphasizes resource efficiency and waste reduction. The implementation of eco-responsibility and circular economy practices in the construction industry and the built environment can lead to significant environmental and economic benefits (Benachio, Freitas, and Tavares 2020).

The construction industry faces a number of obstacles in its adoption of circular economy practices, including a lack of knowledge and understanding of the concept, a limited availability of circular goods and services, and a linear business model that focuses on resource consumption and waste generation.

The adoption of circular economy principles can, however, open up prospects for the construction industry, including enhanced productivity and cost savings as well as better social and environmental performance. Utilizing circular economy principles can optimize resource utilization, reduce waste production, and create circular goods and services. Putting eco-friendly and circular economy strategies into practice in the built environment can help fulfill a number of Agenda 2030 goals. By encouraging sustainable water management practices and lowering water consumption, eco-friendly and circular buildings can lower energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, assisting in the achievement of Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate action), as well as Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation). Additionally, eco-friendly and circular structures can enhance residents' quality of life by offering a safe and comfortable indoor environment, supporting Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The implementation of eco-responsible and circular economy practices in the built environment can also contribute to Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) by promoting sustainable urban development practices, such as the use of renewable energy sources and the reduction of waste generation. Goal 15 (Life on land) can be achieved by promoting sustainable land use practices and reducing the consumption of natural resources. In addition, the implementation of eco-responsible and circular economy practices in the built environment can lead to the development of new technologies and new business opportunities and models (Schaltegger, Hansen, and Lüdeke-Freund 2016), such as the production of circular products and services, in line with Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). In addition, the same good practices can contribute to Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production) by promoting the development of circular products and services and reducing waste generation. But all this requires collaboration between different stakeholders, including government, industry and civil society, promoting Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).