Politická ekonomie X:X

Investigating Synergies and Nexus of Circular Economy and Energy Transition Intensity in context of global paradigm transformations

Jean Vasile Andrei ORCID..., Luminita Chivu ORCID..., Violeta Sima ORCID..., Ileana Georgiana Gheorghe ORCID..., Dumitru Nancu ORCID...
Jean Vasile Andrei (corresponding author), Romanian Academy, Director Centre for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, National Institute for Economic Research "Costin C. Kiriţescu", Bucharest, Romania; Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, Economical Sciences Faculty, Business Administration Department, Ploiesti, Romania
Luminita Chivu, General Director of the National Institute of Economic Research, "Costin C. Kiritescu", Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
Violeta Sima, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, Economical Sciences Faculty, Business Administration Department, Ploiesti, Romania
Ileana Georgiana Gheorghe, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, Economical Sciences Faculty, Business Administration Department, Ploiesti, Romania
Dumitru Nancu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Ovidius University of Constanța, Constanta, Romania; General Director of the National Credit Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Bucharest, Romania

This paper investigates the possible synergies and interconnections between the circular economy and the intensity of the energy transition within the broader context of global paradigm shifts. Using panel data from EU Member States (2013-2022), a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was applied to evaluate long-term dynamics and causality among variables including GDP per capita, material circularity, energy dependency, renewable energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and innovation outputs. The analysis identifies significant long-run relationships, particularly between GDP per capita and indicators such as circular material use, renewable energy share, and tertiary education. The findings indicate a reciprocal relationship between circularity and energy transformation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sustainable competitiveness. The study highlights synergies and emphasizes the need for coherent policy frameworks that leverage CE-ETI linkages to achieve EU climate neutrality goals, circularity decarbonization, and develop resilient economic systems.

Keywords: Circular economy, energy transition, innovation and increasing competitiveness, public concern and awareness, economic growth

Received: February 16, 2025; Revised: May 3, 2025; Accepted: June 18, 2025; Prepublished online: January 21, 2026 

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