Circular Jobs Definition Framework

A shift to a circular economy will impact labour markets around the world: while some jobs will disappear or change in nature, new jobs will emerge. Certain combinations of skills will become more important, and workers and employers will be required to develop new mindsets to adapt to changing working practices. But what are circular jobs exactly? And how can we ensure the transition to the circular economy is positive for work and workers? Our circular jobs definition framework defines circular jobs, with examples of jobs that contribute to the circular economy, and explains how this is used in Circle Economy's Circular Jobs Monitor, an online tool that gathers and displays the number and range of jobs that are part of the circular economy.

A circular job is any occupation that directly involves or indirectly supports one of the strategies of the circular economy. We differentiate between three types of circular jobs: core, enabling and indirectly circular jobs.

• Core circular jobs are all jobs that ensure the closure of raw material cycles, including jobs in repair, renewable energy, waste and resource management. They form the core of the circular economy. • Enabling circular jobs are jobs that remove barriers for and enable the acceleration and upscaling of core circular activities, including jobs that arise in leasing, education, design and digital technology. They form the supporting shell of the circular economy.

• Indirect circular jobs are jobs that indirectly uphold the circular economy. These jobs occur in other sectors that do not play a direct role in furthering the transition to the circular economy but can still adopt circular strategies. They include jobs that provide services to core circular strategies, including jobs in information services, logistics and the public sector.