In the three case study regions of the project “Biosphere Reserves as Model Regions for the Circular Economy” – the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve, the Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve and the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve – two rounds of discussions and workshops have taken place in recent months with regional stakeholders and the biosphere reserve management teams.
The workshops also highlighted the different starting points and development paths of the regions:
Whilst the Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve is still in its infancy when it comes to the targeted promotion of regional value chains, the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve and the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve can already draw on established networks and partnerships.
It became clear that, even though the circular economy has not yet been an explicit focus, there are initiatives in the Bliesgau and Spreewald Biosphere Reserves that have tested or utilised key principles of the circular economy, particularly in agriculture and the energy sector. Nevertheless, closing material cycles remains a challenge in all regions.
We now intend to build on these experiences: in the next step, action plans will be developed that identify specific measures, partners and development prospects – thereby helping to embed the circular economy locally and raise its profile.
The BResourceful project is funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation.
Contact persons at IfLS: Christoph Mathias (mathias[at]ifls.de), Dr. Ulrich Gehrlein (gehrlein[at]ifls.de)
