Glossary · the words of the circular transition
Every transformation requires more than initiatives, projects or decisions: it also requires a shared language. When fundamental concepts are named clearly and understood from a common horizon, it becomes easier to interpret reality, recognize the direction of change and move forward with greater coherence. Without this common foundation, the risk increases of overlapping different readings, disorganizing priorities or acting from frameworks that do not always dialogue with one another.
Because wherever a common vocabulary exists, the capacity grows to understand complexity, align perspectives and sustain decisions with greater consistency. Naming things well is also a way of building better.
In the circular transition, words do not play a secondary role. They do not simply describe, they orient. They do not merely accompany action, they help make it possible.
This glossary is born precisely with that vocation: to help consolidate a common language that makes the reN · Balears Circular Hub approach more legible, facilitates shared frameworks of interpretation and reinforces the link between vision, strategy and action.
No se han encontrado resultados para ""
A
-
Anaerobic digestion
The microbial decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. In a circular economy, it enables food by-products, wastewater sludge and other biodegradable materials to be transformed into digestate and biogas.
B
-
Biological cycle
The set of processes through which biodegradable materials can safely return to the biosphere and contribute to the regeneration of natural capital. It includes, among others, composting and anaerobic digestion. -
Bottleneck
An obstacle or constraint that limits or slows the progress of a project, a value chain or the circular transition itself.
C
-
Circular Office
The strategic and operational core responsible for the hub’s day-to-day management. It acts as a stabilizing element between vision, mobilization and implementation. -
Circular Squads
Specialized working groups organized around each priority action area. They represent the most applied expression of the hub’s collaborative governance. -
Circular business
A strategic axis referring to the set of decisions that affect the foundations of value creation in companies and organizations, from the design of new products and services to the reformulation of processes and business models. It seeks to prevent value leakage, correct inefficiencies and open up new business and professional opportunities. -
Circular city
A strategic axis referring to the set of decisions and interventions conceived or deployed in the collective sphere in order to create the enabling conditions that facilitate and sustain the circular transition. It is especially linked to the institutional, territorial and community dimensions. -
Circular community
An active network of actors, knowledge and initiatives that sustains the circular transition and turns it into a shared dynamic of transformation. -
Circular economy
A production and consumption paradigm, restorative by intention and by design, that goes beyond the linear model of take, make, consume and dispose, by maintaining the functional value of materials and resources for as long as possible, minimizing waste generation, avoiding the extraction of virgin materials, and reducing both material intensity and emissions, while opening up new forms of value creation. -
Circular opportunities
Transformation possibilities identified in the priority action areas on the basis of system analysis, detected gaps and the priorities signaled by regional actors. -
Circular procurement
A strategic axis referring to the set of sourcing decisions aimed at prioritizing products, materials, resources and services that support the closure of technical and biological cycles, reduce the use of virgin materials and extend the value of resources already in use.
-
Circular progress
The degree of effective advancement of the circular transition. It refers not only to intention, but to observable, measurable results that can be tracked and monitored. -
Circular roadmap
A change instrument that structures and prioritizes action in order to move toward a circular tourism system on the basis of six action plans and a broad catalogue of concrete, viable and transformative measures. -
Circular tourism system
A reading of the tourism system through the lens of the circular economy, integrating technical and biological cycles, resource supply, activities linked to the tourism experience, support services, society and the environment into a single system of interrelations aimed at generating long-term economic and social value through a more efficient, circular and regenerative use of resources. -
Circular transition
The process of transformation toward a regional reality of production and consumption based on the principles of the circular economy. It is systemic and cross-cutting in nature, and requires intersectoral coordination, governance and the participation of a wide diversity of actors in order to drive efficiency, innovation, resilience and long-term prosperity. -
Circularity
The condition, quality or degree to which a system, activity, initiative or solution incorporates the principles of the circular economy, whether by eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, or contributing to the regeneration of nature. -
Cluster
A geographical concentration of interconnected firms and institutions around a given productive environment, collaborating strategically to generate shared benefits. -
Clustering
The process of identifying, articulating and promoting clusters in order to leverage productive interrelations, generate critical mass and open up new opportunities for productive re-specialization. -
Collaborative and multistakeholder approach
A way of working that facilitates the involvement of territorial actors and recognizes that governments, businesses, academia, civil society and other agents must participate in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of circular strategies. -
Collaborative dynamic
The set of coordinated and systematic actions aimed at bringing together, exchanging and feeding back information, knowledge and experience among regional actors in order to ensure their effective involvement in the design and deployment of action. -
Collective forward thinking
A shared strategic anticipation exercise aimed at imagining the future, endowing it with attributes and shaping a new regional vision. It is not a speculative exercise, but a practice intended to activate regional responses to interconnected local and global challenges. -
Competitiveness lever
A strategic factor or capability that makes it possible to enhance the territory’s global competitiveness. The main levers include efficiency, innovation and sustainability. -
Composting
The microbial decomposition of organic matter in the presence of oxygen. In a circular economy, it enables food by-products and other biodegradable materials to be transformed into compost that can be used as a soil improver.
D
-
Double materiality
An approach that simultaneously analyzes the impact of a company’s activity on its environment and the impact that environmental, social and governance factors have on the company’s own value creation. -
Durability
The capacity of a product, component or material to remain functional and relevant throughout its intended use over time. It may be physical, technological or emotional, depending on the type of product.
E
-
ESG criteria
Environmental, social and governance criteria that make it possible to integrate sustainability into the core of strategy and decision-making. -
Economic intelligence
The set of coordinated and systematic actions for gathering, processing and distributing strategic information in order to analyze, understand and anticipate changes in the environment.
F
-
Finite materials
Non-renewable materials on timescales relevant to the economy. They include metals, minerals, fossil fuels and other resources whose regeneration is only possible on geological timescales.
G
-
Global competitiveness
The capacity of a territory to produce goods and services in line with market requirements while, at the same time, sustainably improving the quality of life of its population.
H
-
Hub
A central node of connection that acts as a strategic and operational infrastructure for articulating actors, flows, capabilities and resources. It is not merely a showcase, but a mechanism that transforms vision and strategy into projects, partnerships and tangible results.
I
-
Implementation
The phase in which a strategy or roadmap is translated into projects, practices, solutions and monitoring mechanisms on the ground. -
Initial assessment
A diagnostic exercise that establishes a baseline for identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities in the circular transition. -
Internationalization
A process aimed at participating actively and consistently in global flows of goods, services, capital, people and knowledge linked to value creation.
L
-
Linear economy
An economic model based on extracting resources, manufacturing products, using them and discarding them at the end of their useful life. It is a material-intensive system that generates waste and environmental pressure and degrades natural systems. -
Long-term value creation
The capacity of an organization to generate performance, resilience and positive impact in a sustained way over time, beyond immediate financial results.
M
-
Maintain (in use)
To keep a product in a functional, high-quality and, where appropriate, aesthetically sound condition in order to prevent deterioration and extend its period of use.
N
-
Nerve Center
A space for strategic prioritization and multi-actor alignment within the hub’s operating model. It is a governance component designed to provide direction, focus and coherence. -
Network governance
A flexible, multi-actor model aimed at aligning priorities, coordinating efforts, tracking progress and incorporating learning throughout the circular transition. -
Non-virgin materials
Materials that have already been used in the economy. They include reused, recycled, remanufactured or recovered materials, and may also be referred to as secondary materials.
P
-
Pathway for progress
A particularly suitable path for improving the positioning of the Balearic Islands, correcting imbalances and advancing toward new aspirations of well-being. In this framework, the circular economy is presented as a pathway for progress because of its capacity to activate competitiveness levers. -
Pilot project
A concrete initiative tested under real conditions in order to trial solutions, generate learning and prepare for possible extension or scaling. -
Priority action areas
Six fields that guide the circular transition: water, energy, food, materials, mobility, and land-sea territory. They help focus efforts in investment, innovation and governance. -
Productive re-specialization
The process of reorienting the productive fabric toward activities, relationships and knowledge bases capable of generating greater added value, higher productivity and a stronger competitive position. -
Productivity
The value added generated by each unit of productive factor used in the production process.
R
-
Recyclability
The ease with which a material can be recycled in practice and at scale in a technically, economically and operationally viable way. -
Recycle
To transform a product or component into its basic materials or substances in order to reprocess them as new materials. In a circular economy, recycling is a necessary strategy, but one of last resort, as it entails a loss of energy and embedded value. -
Redistribute
To divert a product from its original market or destination to another user or use context, preventing it from becoming waste and preserving its value. -
Refurbish
To return a product to a good working condition through the repair or replacement of components, the updating of specifications, or the improvement of its appearance. -
Regenerative future
A horizon of progress centered on people and nature that does not merely seek to reduce negative impacts, but aspires to restore and improve natural and social capital, reinforcing long-term resilience and prosperity through the creation of more and new forms of value. -
Regenerative production
A form of producing food and materials that not only reduces impacts, but also actively contributes to restoring and improving natural systems, fostering healthy soils, biodiversity and improved air and water quality. -
Regional actors / stakeholders
Actors with the capacity to influence beyond the boundaries of their own organization and contribute to the transformation of the system as a whole.
-
Regional vision
A shared view of the future that makes it possible to set a common ambition and guide actors toward a new trajectory of progress, well-being and sustainable global competitiveness. -
Remanufacture
To re-engineer products or components in order to return them to a condition equivalent or superior to that of a new one, while maintaining or improving performance. -
Renewable energy
Energy derived from resources that do not run out on timescales relevant to the economy. It includes, among others, solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, ocean energy and biogas from anaerobic digestion. -
Renewable materials
Materials that regenerate continuously at a rate equal to or greater than their rate of extraction or consumption. To fit within a circular economy, their production must be compatible with regenerative practices. -
Repair
The operation by which a defective or damaged product or component is returned to a usable state in accordance with its intended use. -
Repairability
The ease with which a product or component can be repaired in order to restore its functionality and extend its use. -
Responsible investment
An investment approach aimed at long-term value creation through business practice that integrates sustainability criteria and takes into account the interests of different stakeholders. -
Reuse
The repeated use of a product or component for the same purpose for which it was conceived, without significant modifications. -
Reverse logistics
The set of chains and operations dedicated to the reverse flow of products and materials for the purposes of maintenance, repair, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling or regeneration. -
reN
A movement aimed at promoting and accelerating progress toward a regenerative future in the Balearic Islands through a broad, cross-cutting strategic reformulation that materializes a shared regional vision.
S
-
Scalability
The capacity of an initiative or solution to grow, be replicated or be extended so as to generate systemic transformation effects. -
Sharing
The use of the same product by multiple users over time. It is a practice that helps retain high value by increasing the intensity and duration of use. -
Strategic axes
Three axes that structure and scale the action of the circular transition: circular procurement, circular business and circular city. They operate as a cross-cutting logic running through the six priority action areas. -
Strategic principle of change
The role assumed by the circular economy as a major vector for transforming the tourism system and the regional economy, given its capacity to activate competitiveness levers and orient a new development trajectory. -
System mapping
A methodological stage aimed at understanding which elements make up the system, which actors intervene in it, what interrelations they maintain and which circular initiatives are already underway. -
Systemic-impact actors
Actors with the capacity to influence beyond the boundaries of their own organization and contribute to the transformation of the system as a whole.
T
-
Technical cycle
The set of processes through which products and materials that are not consumed during use circulate, with the aim of maintaining their value at the highest possible level at all times. It includes strategies such as maintaining, sharing, reusing, redistributing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing and, as a last resort, recycling. -
To connect
To link actors, capabilities, opportunities and projects in order to enable effective, results-oriented cooperation. -
To convene
To bring together and align actors, knowledge and initiatives around a shared ambition. -
To mobilize
To activate resources, alliances, capabilities, and innovation and governance efforts in order to drive real change on the ground. -
To project
To give scope, visibility and scale to initiatives, results and learning with transformative potential. -
Tourism system
A complex network of institutions, activities, resources, cultural assets and social dynamics that a region articulates in order to host tourism and benefit from it. It constitutes a broad, diverse, flexible and adaptable base that concentrates many of the main challenges facing the Balearic Islands, as well as a significant share of their future solutions. -
Transformation
The structural outcome of the circular transition when it significantly modifies the functioning of the system and gives rise to new ways of creating value, operating and governing. It is not an isolated gesture, but a broad-based change with productive, social and environmental implications. -
Transition broker
A neutral systemic intermediary that facilitates, articulates and accelerates the circular transition by connecting vision, planning and implementation. Its role is to accompany processes, activate linkages among actors, transfer economic intelligence and help structure cooperation.
U
-
Useful life
The period that elapses from when a product enters use until it becomes obsolete or can no longer be recovered at product level.
V
-
Virgin materials
Materials that have not yet been used in the economy, whether of finite or renewable origin.