Transizione all’economia circolare: quali prospettive di giustizia sociale? Il contributo qualitativo del lavoro nel quadro della transizione giusta

In just a few years the circular economy has emerged as a key principle of industrial and environmental policies in Europe, China, Africa, and the USA. It has also been embraced by a growing number of corporations and local governments, promoting circular business models for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and risk management. Also, for the financial sector, it has been proposed as a frontier for new investments, linked to the language of sustainability. However, an analysis of the circular economy issue reveals significant concerns about its theoretical foundations, practices, and social, economic, and environmental consequences – concerns that are increasingly at the centre of international debate. Starting from a comparison between the theoretical premises and the debate on its critiques, this essay aims to highlight the ambiguity embedded in this narrative, particularly in relation to the role of labour. The key concept addressed here is that of just transition, which introduces the issue of social justice into the technical discourse on ecological transition, and has recently become prominent in climate discussions. In particular, the analysis will focus on the inclusion of workers (and unions) into the transition process, as well as on the importance of ensuring an equitable approach that accounts for the intersectionality of power dimensions.