The Circular Economy and the Global South: Sustainable Industrial Development D. Zilberman, J.M. Perloff, & C.S. Berck Springer 2023

Abstract

This book review critically examines "The Circular Economy and the Global South: Sustainable Industrial Development" edited by Patrick Schröder, Kartika Anggraeni, Uwe Weber, and Ali Ahmad. The volume brings together leading scholars and practitioners to explore how the Global South can adopt and adapt circular economy (CE) models to achieve sustainable industrialization and development. Emphasizing regional diversity, the book delves into case studies from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, revealing the opportunities and challenges faced by countries with differing levels of infrastructure and governance capacity. It discusses how CE can contribute to inclusive growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability, while cautioning against models that merely replicate Northern experiences without contextual adaptation. The book’s interdisciplinary approach, combining economics, development studies, environmental science, and policy analysis, makes it a vital contribution to contemporary debates on green growth. Although the work could have benefited from a stronger engagement with the political economy of global trade systems, its empirical richness and policy relevance stand out. This review assesses the book’s contributions, critiques its limitations, and discusses its implications for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in sustainable development pathways in emerging economies.

Keywords. Circular Economy, Global South, Sustainable Industrial Development, Green Growth, Development Policy.

JEL. O14, Q56, O44.

SDGs. SDG9, SDG12.