A critical analysis of the circular economy in southern Europe: an innovative proposal for addressing environmental degradation and the sustainability of life

Though an apparently simple idea in its formulation (in nature there is no waste) circular economy faces significant obstacles to its implementation, as it involves not only technological changes in the system of production, but changes in many other social dimensions.With the objective of assessing the advances and obstacles involved in the transition toward a circular economy, in terms of the bifurcation between advance and collapse we compare the cases of Spain and Italy based on the strategies that their respective governments have established. We analyze the sectors, instruments and indicators selected in each case to carry out an analysis of the state of the situation and point to future trends. Lastly, the innovative character of the approach here lies in our reflection on the circular economy from the perspective of total sustainability or sustainability for life.