Circular Economy

Data is displayed for academic year: 2023./2024.

Lecturers

Prof.
Davor Škrlec

Seminar

Tomislav Antić
PhD

Course Description

Basic principles and concepts of the circular economy. Socio-social aspects of the circular economy. Differences between linear and circular economy. Systems thinking in the analysis of dynamic systems of the circular economy. New economic theories as part of the circular economy: "Doughnut" economy, collaborative economy, the economy of happiness. Business models of the circular economy. Application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the circular economy. The role of renewable energy sources and efficient management of material resources in the circular economy. Bioeconomics as part of a circular economy. EU public policies and action plans in the field of the circular economy. Global changes towards a circular economy including the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

Study Programmes

University graduate
[FER3-EN] Control Systems and Robotics - profile
Transversal Courses (2. semester)
[FER3-EN] Data Science - profile
Transversal Courses (2. semester)
[FER3-EN] Electrical Power Engineering - profile
Transversal Courses (2. semester)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain key concepts, principles and issues, and thinking and acting in a circular economy
  2. List the key elements of the system, identify the complexity, nonlinearity and dynamics of the system
  3. Develop systems thinking with special reference to ecological systems
  4. Evaluate and review key concepts, principles and business issues related to resources, energy and materials and competitive advantage at different levels
  5. Review and redesign a system based on the principles of circularity versus linear approach
  6. Demonstrate the ability to apply digital technology and artificial intelligence in a circular economy
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of circular economy principles in cities and daily life
  8. Demonstrate knowledge of the application of bioeconomy
  9. Review and evaluate various business models for the circular economy
  10. Demonstrate knowledge of the public policy of the circular economy in the EU and horizontal integration with other EU public policies

Forms of Teaching

Lectures

The course is organized into two teaching cycles. The first cycle consists of 7 weeks of direct teaching and intermediate exams. The second cycle of classes contains 6 weeks of direct classes and a final exam. Classes are conducted over a total of 15 weeks with a weekly load of 2 hours.

Seminars and workshops

At the preparatory workshops, an analysis of EU public policies related to the circular economy, cross-sectoral connections, and current public consultations will be conducted. Students will be divided into groups by the method of solving problem tasks, propose solutions and present them to other groups of students through a public presentation.

Partial e-learning

Organization of a videoconference at which topics from the circular economy are presented.

Independent assignments

Students will do independent research and write a paper in the form of a review article between current topics in the field of circular economy at the EU level, global level, level of international organizations (UN, OECD, etc.) and individual countries or political / economic communities.

Grading Method

Continuous Assessment Exam
Type Threshold Percent of Grade Threshold Percent of Grade
Homeworks 0 % 25 % 0 % 25 %
Class participation 0 % 15 % 0 % 15 %
Seminar/Project 0 % 20 % 0 % 20 %
Mid Term Exam: Written 50 % 20 % 50 %
Final Exam: Written 50 % 20 %
Exam: Written 50 % 40 %

Week by Week Schedule

  1. Linear economic model; economic growth measurement; profit based economy
  2. Circular Economy; historical origins; overall principles and concepts, Circular Economy Indicators
  3. Systems thinking: Complexity; feedback; dynamic and nonlinear systems; closed loops; unintended consequences
  4. Doughnut economics
  5. Collaborative economy; sharing economy; economics of happiness
  6. Innovations, bio-economy; renewable energy sources
  7. Efficient management of material resources, recycling, reuse
  8. Midterm exam
  9. Device design, eco-design, innovative design, new materials, research, strategies
  10. Circular Economy business models; Green and Circular public procurement, green entrepreneurship
  11. Application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in the circular economy
  12. Economic and Governance of Circular Economy in Cities
  13. EU public policies and action plans in the field of circular economy
  14. UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, EU Circular Economy Policy Framework
  15. Final exam

Literature

(.), Kružna ekonomija – interna skripta (Davor Škrlec),
(.), Europska komisija/Europski parlament – službene publikacije,
OECD (2019.), Business Models for the Circular Economy Opportunities and Challenges for Policy, OECD Publishing
(.), circular economy,
(.), Publications office of the EU,
(.), Ellen MacArthur Foundation – službene publikacije,
Ken Webster (2015.), The Circular Economy – A Wealth of Flows, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishing
Amory Lovins, Michael Braungart (2014.), A New Dynamic - Effective Business in a Circular Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishing
Ellen Franconi, Brett Bridgeland, Ken Webster (2016.), A New Dynamic 2- Effective Systems in a Circular Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Publishing
Kate Raworth (2017.), Doughnut Economics, Chelsea Green Publishing

For students

General

ID 223035
  Summer semester
2 ECTS
L1 English Level
L3 e-Learning
30 Lectures
15 Seminar
0 Exercises
0 Laboratory exercises
0 Project laboratory
0 Physical education excercises

Grading System

90 Excellent
75 Very Good
60 Good
50 Sufficient

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