Scaling up circular economy in Västra Götaland
Västra Götaland is well on its way to making the transition. A new, comprehensive analysis shows that the level of ambition among the region's businesses and municipalities is remarkable. Significant groundwork has already been laid, and many inspiring circular initiatives are already underway.
To truly achieve the climate goals, however, we are now entering the next exciting phase: scaling up successful pilot projects into large-scale systemic change. How do we make circularity the new normal? Read on to discover the key insights and the critical steps needed to move forward.
As part of the Circular Climate Pledges – Implementation and Needs Analysis project, Lindholmen Science Park has supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and municipalities on their transition journeys. To accelerate the shift to a circular economy, we have delivered a wide range of initiatives—from webinars, study visits, and networking events to one-on-one coaching and the development of practical guidance. These efforts have helped organizations address everything from circular workwear and furniture to supply chain mapping.
A new in-depth report by researchers at Linköping University now highlights what is actually required for these efforts to achieve their full impact. The analysis presents a clear conclusion: circular climate pledges are far more transformative—and therefore more challenging to implement—than conventional climate actions.
Shared challenges – different realities
To succeed in the transition, the report shows that the two groups of actors often face different types of obstacles, even though the root causes are similar.
- Municipalities are primarily hindered by organizational silos, unclear ownership, and a lack of resources. Many circular initiatives, such as the management of circular furniture or workwear, risk falling between the cracks because they do not naturally belong to a single department. In addition, the practical conditions and infrastructure required are often missing, such as storage facilities and digital systems for reuse.
- Businesses, on the other hand, are challenged by market conditions, complex global value chains, and high upfront investment costs. Companies report difficulties in securing stable supplies of sustainable materials in the right volumes, and highlight the lack of reverse logistics infrastructure as a key bottleneck.
However, both groups share a clear need for cross-boundary collaboration and functioning support systems in order to scale up their initiatives. The analysis emphasizes that no single actor today has sufficient resources or mandate to transform an entire linear system on its own.
The researchers behind the report, Anna Yström and Karin Wigger from Linköping University, emphasize that the key moving forward is to embed sustainability into the very bloodstream of organizations and to dare to challenge established models.
– We see that circular initiatives today are often highly dependent on committed champions, but to achieve real impact, the work must be integrated into regular governance and core operations. Pilot projects are extremely important for our shared learning, but from the very beginning there must be a clear plan for how they can be scaled up and become part of everyday practice.
says Anna Yström.
Karin Wigger adds that we now need to broaden our perspective in order to create a genuine drive for systemic change, where circularity becomes a natural business and societal strategy.
– Even though there are good intentions, there is still often a lack of a “sense of urgency.” The next phase is not just about making existing linear flows more efficient, but about actually challenging the systems and daring to change how we create value. It must move from being a values-driven issue to a structurally embedded transition.
said Karin Wigger.
Three quick insights to accelerate the transition
Based on the findings of the research, we have distilled some of the most central and practical tips for success in practice:
- Start where the impact is greatest: For businesses, this means identifying the point where climate impact and business value intersect. For municipalities, it means linking climate commitments directly to their regular budgets and governance structures from the outset to ensure legitimacy.
- Break down silos immediately: Circular flows cut across organizational boundaries. Create cross-functional teams and forums where different departments—such as procurement, IT, and waste management—break silo thinking and share responsibility from day one.
- Collaborate across the entire value chain: You do not need to know everything yourself. Seek early support from suppliers, customers, and networks to co-innovate new materials and solutions together.
The way forward: Practical support and collaboration
The report concludes that the era of one-size-fits-all solutions is over. Today, businesses and municipalities are at very different stages of maturity in their circular transition and increasingly require support that is tailored, flexible, and closely aligned with their day-to-day operations. This may include customized "dilemma workshops," where municipalities work through specific local challenges, or one-on-one coaching for companies that need in-depth expert support with areas such as climate calculations or circular business models. To succeed, a support structure is needed that adapts to the context and needs of each organization, combined with a shared willingness to build new circular value chains together.
Alexandra Hegmann
Climate 2030 – Västra Götaland is transitioning!
Phone: +46 (0)31-764 70 00
E-mail: info@lindholmen.se
About us
Lindholmen Science Park AB is jointly owned by the City of Gothenburg and the business community. During more than 25 years, owners and partners have worked together to invest and purposefully develop a modern and inspiring innovation environment for several of Sweden’s leading development projects.
Newsletter from Lindholmen
Add your email address to receive updates and invitations. Take part of our privacy policy.
Box 8077, 402 78 Gothenburg, Sweden