Circular Economy Transition and Prospects: Case Study of Ireland

Sofia Valentová

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This thesis explores the prospects of circular economy transition within the European Union, specifically focusing on Ireland and its circular performance assessed through the European Union Circular Economy Monitoring Framework. The research utilizes two main parts consisting of theoretical policy analysis and a practical case study of Ireland, which is based on data extracted mainly from Eurostat, supplemented with additional secondary data coming from national bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The research findings reveal a circularity gap in Ireland, with the analysis primarily focusing on the core time-period of 2012 to 2022. This period is characterized by a considerably low circular material use rate, which remained largely stagnant, falling significantly behind the EU’s circular targets. The analysis further identifies other numerous structural vulnerabilities and suggests that achieving a more circular economy in Ireland will require effective implementation of its circular economy framework, increased financial support for businesses and SMEs to adopt circular business models, and the expansion of green public procurement to stimulate demand for secondary materials.

Keywords

Circular Economy, Ireland, Circular Economy Action Plan, European Union, Environmental Policy, Sustainability, Waste Management, Recycling, Environmental Footprint, Circularity Gap

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 3. 4. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Ing. Pavel Kotyza, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Dávid Červený, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Provozně ekonomická fakulta

Magisterský studijní program:
European Agrarian Diplomacy