Circular economy planning in higher education institutions: Between policy ambitions and regulatory constraints

Authors

  • Gabriel Londe Medeiros ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management , University of Lisbon image/svg+xml
  • Jéssica Raphaela de Carvalho Faculty of Fine Arts , University of Lisbon image/svg+xml
  • Maria Eduarda Caminha Faculty of Fine Arts , University of Lisbon image/svg+xml
  • Wint Mon Swe University of Algarve image/svg+xml

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24306/plnxt/131

Published

2026-11-04

Issue

Online First

Section

Research article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Gabriel Londe Medeiros, Jéssica Raphaela de Carvalho, Maria Eduarda Caminha, Wint Mon Swe

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Circular economy planning in higher education institutions: Between policy ambitions and regulatory constraints. (2026). plaNext–Next Generation Planning, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.24306/plnxt/131

Keywords:

circular economy, higher education institutions, urban circular transitions, multi-level governance, Lisbon

Abstract

Circular practices have the potential to support urban sustainability transitions and Higher Education Institutions have emerged as strategic actors because of their operational scale, knowledge production, and interaction with urban systems. This study explores the Circular Economy Plan, developed by the Lisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon, as an institutional initiative embedded in a broader urban circular transition agenda. A multi-method approach combines document and policy analysis, a review of European and Portuguese legislation, semi-structured interviews with staff, and on-site observation of campus operations. The findings show that planning the implementation of circular initiatives in Higher Education Institutions is strongly influenced by regulatory constraints, market conditions, organizational practices, and behavioral dynamics. The plan responds to these conditions via incremental adaptations to existing institutional structures. Applying a multi-level perspective, the study shows that these institutions operate as constrained boundary organizations, mediating between policy frameworks, institutional practices, and urban systems by engaging with supplier, municipal infrastructure and stakeholders. The study contributes to understanding how circular economy strategies are prepared for implementation in Higher Education Institutions and how institutional practices connect with urban systems under multi-level governance constraints.

Author Biographies

  • Gabriel Londe Medeiros, ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, University of Lisbon

    Gabriel Londe Medeiros is an Invited Assistant Professor at ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management, University of Lisbon, and PhD researcher in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies. Since 2023 he has worked as a researcher in the fields of ecosystem services, climate change and circular economy transitions. 

  • Jéssica Raphaela de Carvalho, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon

    Jéssica Carvalho is an Environmental Engineer and master’s student in Design for Sustainability at the University of Lisbon (Portugal). Her professional experience covers sustainability consulting, environmental compliance, ESG strategies and ISO internal auditing.

  • Maria Eduarda Caminha, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon

    Maria Eduarda Caminha is a master’s student in Design for Sustainability at the University of Lisbon (Portugal). Her research includes circular economy solutions, resilient transition models and corporate social responsibility.

  • Wint Mon Swe, University of Algarve

    Wint Mon Swe is an Environmental Engineer and PhD researcher at the University of Algarve (Portugal), where she explores ecodesign solutions in Research and Development Institutes. Her research explores circular economy and the soft sides of ecodesign. She holds an MSc in Water and Coastal Management from the University of Bologna.

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