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The Bliesgau, Schaalsee and Spreewald Biosphere Reserves are set to become model regions for the circular economy as part of the BResourceful project. The project’s advisory working group, comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the National Nature Landscapes Association, the research community and the Working Group of Biosphere Reserves, has endorsed the three selected areas. The decision is based on the diverse activities already being implemented in the biosphere reserves and the various opportunities to promote the circular economy. Notable examples include the diverse economic structure and the area’s focus on ESD in the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve. The Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve is characterised by its potential for agricultural cycles, whilst the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve is distinguished by the material and energy use of landscape management materials. Furthermore, the three biosphere reserves have different spatial structural characteristics in terms of economic strength, population development and density.

Now that the BResourceful project has assessed the current state of circular economy practices in German biosphere reserves, the next step is in-depth work in the model regions. In the three biosphere reserves, detailed analyses of regional potential will be carried out, and action plans for circular economy practices will be drawn up based on these findings. Through participatory work in the biosphere reserves, we aim to raise awareness of the circular economy and develop concrete courses of action.
The BResourceful project is funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation.

Contact persons at IfLS: Christoph Mathias (mathias[at]ifls.de), Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de)