Understanding the scaling-up of a circular economy (CE) through a strategic niche management (SNM) theory: A socio-political perspective from Quebec

Abstract

This paper examines the public policy mechanisms that are involved in the development of a circular economy (CE) in Quebec. The article uses an analytical framework of niche management to explore institutional frameworks in which the CE is expanding in Quebec. The data used for this analysis was collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 stakeholders involved in the CE project in the region of Kamouraska (Quebec). Our study reveals important changes to Quebec's regulations that encourage CE development. It underlines/emphasizes that coercive measures (laws and regulations) as well as incentives (public funding, fiscal measures, technical support, coordination, etc.) contribute to the adoption and dissemination of a CE. However, such public policy schemes have been supported by the collective and sustained commitment of economic and institutional actors in the territories. Consequently, the main difficulty in implementing these public policy schemes is trying to combine the multiple resources and skills of stakeholders operating at different spatial scales. As a result, a focus on local contexts and stakeholder values helps define and strengthen the strategic framework for a CE.