2.3 Similarities and differences between the concepts of sustainability and the circular economy
The concepts of sustainability and the Circular Economy share a number of similarities and differences. Firstly, these similarities are based upon the global nature of the concepts due to the activities of one country having an impact on another, for example, the shipment of waste from the developed worked to the developing world (Lewis and Maslin 2018; Mulvihill and Harris Ali 2017; Moreno et al 2016). Secondly, these similarities also extend to concerns with the current model of production, consumption and technology which are not only having a negative impact on this generation, but, based upon these current patterns, will also detrimentally impact on future generations (Lewis and Maslin 2018; Geissdoerfer et al 2017; Moreno et al 2016). However, these production and consumption patterns also provide the opportunity for areas of competitive advantages which have yet to be fully explored (Geissdoerfer et al 2017). These areas may also be supported by global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals which provide activities for businesses to address as part of its strategic operations which may assist in supporting development areas (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2019). Thirdly, these similarities also emphasise the importance of the need to provide higher levels of integration between the environment, society and economy which will require a systems-led approach rather than merely seeing the issue of sustainability as being an add-on or a tick box exercise (Lewis and Maslin 2018; Mulvihill and Harris Ali 2017; Geissdoerfer et al 2017).
In contrast to these similarities, the concepts of sustainability and the Circular Economy also have differences based upon the different contexts and the different purposes applied to each (Geissdoerfer et al 2017; Moreno et al 2016). The concept of sustainability is far broader than the concept of the Circular Economy and can be applied to a far broader scope of stakeholder commitments and initiatives and areas of risk, such as resource security, and opportunities, such as addressing different market needs (Lewis and Maslin 2018; Geissdoerfer et al 2017; Pauli 2017). The circular economy undertakes a more specific approach towards sustainability and is therefore part of this concept, providing a potential framework for the increased use of sustainable production and consumption methods (Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017; Pauli 2017; Braungart and McDonough 2009).
2.4 The relationship between sustainability and the Circular Economy
The relationship between sustainability and the Circular Economy is based upon the approaches towards increasing the awareness of the interdependencies between the economy, society and the environment but these may undertake different approaches, perspectives and methodologies (Pauli 2017; Geissdoerfer et al 2017; Moreno et al 2016). These concepts also have conceptual differences, such as sustainability being focused on the integration between economy, society and the environment presenting thee as equal factors (Lewis and Maslin 2018; Geissdoerfer et al 2017). In contrast to this perspective, the Circular Economy prioritises the economic perspective which then has a direct benefit on society and the environment and can be seen as a more business-centric approach (Pauli 2017; Geissdoerfer et al 2017). However, as contexts change and technological innovations are developed, there is a focus on how these can impact upon sustainability and the Circular Economy and these may provide a greater synthesis between the two concepts. Technological innovations, such as the Internet of T
