INSPIR’ECO: Applying Circular Economy Principles to Industrial Parks
Increasing the competitiveness of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) is an important driver for the adoption of industrial and territorial ecology (ITE) initiatives, which are underpinned by circular economy principles.
Early and ongoing commitment by local governments, combined with ‘quick-win’ approaches that offer immediate, low-risk returns on investments, help EIPs to become established. Public-sector involvement and risk-sharing are strong incentives for private stakeholders to get involved in ITE initiatives, and help to increase their success.
This Insight shares the lessons learned from INSPIRA, an industrial inland port located on the Rhône River in France (about 60 km south of Lyon), from the perspective of ENGIE, a key actor within INSPIR’ECO and a French Climate-KIC partner. The INSPIR’ECO project, which is underpinned by an ITE approach, is used as a case study to examine the determinants of success, which include the role of digital services in accelerating stakeholder collaboration and attracting new businesses.