Research Axis 4 – Policy levers and public governance
Axis 4 is led by a co-chair and a co-lead.
Fanny Tremblay-Racicot
Co-lead
Assistant Professor, École nationale d’administration publique (ÉNAP)
c. fanny.tremblay-racicot@enap.ca
Axis 4 of the RRECQ is structured around the work of its members, who analyze governance issues related to the transition toward a circular economy, particularly with regard to decision-making structures, public policies, and stakeholder dynamics. Through their engagement within the Network, the researchers involved in this axis actively contribute to a better understanding of the processes and mechanisms that either facilitate or hinder the integration of circularity within institutional and organizational spheres.
Their expertise not only enables the examination of the roles, interactions, and spheres of influence of various stakeholders, but also supports the assessment of the social impacts of circular initiatives and the alignment between implemented policies and on-the-ground realities. In this way, their work contributes to the identification of innovative governance practices, highlights exemplary initiatives at the international level, and situates them within the Canadian and Quebec contexts, thereby strengthening the development of more coherent, inclusive, and effective policies and strategies.
Axis 4 objectives
Objective 4.1: Examine governance structures, stakeholder roles, and social interactions that support circularity
This objective aims to analyze how governance of the circular transition and circularity issues is structured around stakeholders in various sectors of society, while helping to revitalize the economies of Quebec and Canada and make them more resilient in the face of contemporary geopolitical and climate challenges. In addition, it examines the structures and functions of networks of formal and informal actors, as well as the social dynamics that underpin governance and establish its rules. Thus, this objective examines the role of the actors within each sphere of society, power dynamics, the influence of formal and informal relationships on decision-making, and the alignment of proposed measures across different levels of decision-making or administrative jurisdictions.
Examples of Research Themes
- Institutional structures, governance models, and enabling factors and barriers to a circular economy
- Roles, interventions, interconnections, and coordination of circular economy stakeholders across all administrative and territorial levels, and along different sectors and value chains
- Consultative and participatory processes, and stakeholder engagement
- Geopolitical issues and international economic dynamics, including links to global, national, and local frameworks and priorities
- Lobbying and the consideration of interests that may be challenged by, or pose barriers to, circular strategies
Objective 4.2: Analyze decision-making processes and policy performance to support the implementation of the circular economy
This objective aims to analyze the impact of public policies and governance related to the circular transition on contemporary economic, social, geopolitical, and climate issues, by elucidating the various stages of the decision-making processes undertaken by circular economy stakeholders. Regardless of its scope, level of formality, or the actors involved, a decision results from a process that frames its potential impacts and determines its scope. This objective therefore aims to analyze the influence that data, studies, and both conventional and innovative tools have on decision-making, by examining how this influence can either facilitate or hinder efforts toward circularity. The effectiveness of the decisions and tools adopted to achieve the desired objectives, as well as the adjustments needed to adapt subsequent decisions based on lessons learned, are also areas of interest.
Examples of Research Themes
- Drafting legislation, using roadmaps for the circular economy.
- Innovative decision-making tools, legislative processes, and the formulation and implementation of public policies for the circular economy
- Collective actions and other citizen-led initiatives.
- Public policy instruments, such as financial tools (e.g., eco-taxes, taxes, subsidies) and non-financial tools (e.g., standards, certifications, laws, regulations, support and guidance, awareness-raising, quotas, digital product passports).
- Analysis, measures, and performance indicators for policies; measures of economic competitiveness; and emergent properties of governance systems.
- Accountability, policy flexibility, adaptive and proactive governance.
- Consistency among measures, conflicts of objectives, and regulatory inconsistencies.
Objective 4.3: Understand governance approaches that promote a just and inclusive transition
This third objective aims to shed light on how efforts toward the circular transition succeed or fail in delivering fair, equitable, and inclusive outcomes. The focus is therefore on the social impacts of the circular economy, including spillover effects and redistributive effects, whether positive or negative. Ways to promote benefits for the majority of the population without further marginalizing already vulnerable groups can be explored here. By examining the redistribution of benefits within the circular economy, this objective also addresses the concepts of social and environmental justice, as well as the processes of legitimization and social acceptability that are closely linked to them.
Examples of Research Themes
- The circular labor market, and the contribution of the social economy and social innovation to the circular economy.
- Spillover effects and redistributive effects on the most vulnerable groups, as well as local and global social and environmental justice.
- Social and political-administrative acceptance, and processes of legitimization. Incorporating citizens’ concerns and perspectives into decision-making.
- Access to goods and services, and indicators of well-being.
- The circular economy’s contribution to regional resilience and self-sufficiency, and the integration of local knowledge.
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Research Projects
Some examples of projects related to axis 4:
