Advancing the circular economy – more data and impact measurement

The transition from a resource-intensive linear economy (‘take – make – waste’) to a circular economy is becoming increasingly urgent in view of multiple challenges in the areas of energy, climate and environmental protection. The study "Sieben Leben dank Kreislaufwirtschaft" ("Seven lives thanks to the circular economy’") by the Technologiestiftung Berlin (Technology Foundation Berlin, TSB) shows how digital data can contribute to promoting the circular economy.

With its Zero Waste Strategy, Berlin is pursuing concrete approaches to recording material flows. The city is characterised by a multitude of local initiatives – from repair cafés and second-hand platforms to start-ups in the field of circular construction and textile recycling. These projects show that circular thinking is possible. At the same time, there is often a lack of data, standards and coordination to scale these approaches and embed them systemically.

Technologiestiftung Berlin has now published a new study that shows how digital data can support the transformation to a circular economy. The study, entitled ‘Seven Lives Thanks to the Circular Economy’, analyses existing concepts, examines regulatory frameworks and challenges, and provides concrete practical examples. It makes it clear that data is crucial for monitoring material flows, evaluating the success of measures, developing circular business models and ensuring transparency along the value chain.

Circular economy must also be thought out and implemented in a systematic way. This means that it should take into account the effects of other sectors in the material flows and develop approaches that are as holistic as possible. The introduction of a digital product passport (DPP) from 2026 offers new opportunities for transparency and innovation in this regard.

The "Standardization Roadmap Circular Economy", which the Deutsche Intitut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation, DIN) has been developing and revising since 2021, provides an overview of the status quo of standardisation in the circular economy in Germany. The focus is not only on digitalisation and specific industries, but also on topics such as sustainability assessment and impact measurement. The latest result of the standardisation roadmap is DIN SPEC 91637  "Impact measurement of measures for municipal, regional and national climate protection". DIN SPEC describes the ecological, economic and social impact logic of measures for relevant sectors of climate protection. The document is a guide for action for administrations at all levels as well as for supporting actors.