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PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR CIRCULAR AND CLIMATE-NEUTRAL TRANSITIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF EMERGING MODELS AND APPLICATIONS
Abstract
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly promoted as collaborative tools for advancing circular economy (CE) strategies with climate-neutral outcomes. However, current research at the intersection of PPPs, circularity, and decarbonization remains fragmented, scattered across sectors, and lacking conceptual synthesis. This study proposes a systematic review of the literature to map how PPPs support circular practices and whether these initiatives report climate-related benefits. Using Scopus as the primary database, a structured search combining terms related to PPPs, circular economy processes, and climate-neutral transitions generated an initial sample of 50 publications from 2014 onward. Following PRISMA guidelines, the study screened and analyzed 18 selected papers based on PPP, circular interventions, and documented climate outcomes. Findings indicate that research linking PPPs, circularity, and climate neutrality is still emerging and conceptually dispersed, highlighting persistent regulatory constraints and the need for clearer governance models to support effective PPP deployment. This review aims to support the development of more coherent frameworks for designing circular PPPs aligned with climate-neutrality (CN) goals.
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