Advancements and challenges of circular economy in agriculture: a comparative analysis between European and American countries

Abstract

Contemporary food and agricultural systems face multiple sustainability challenges, including the inefficient use and depletion of natural resources, which have generated significant environmental impacts such as climate change, thereby threatening rural livelihoods and ecosystems. In this context, the Circular Economny (CE) has emerged as a transformative paradigm aimed at addressing these challenges through the reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery of resources, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. This study evaluates the implementation of CE principles through a comparative analysis of European and American countries over the period 2010–2023. To this end, official datasets from the FAO and the World Bank are employed, and both relational and multiple regression analyses are conducted to examine the associations between sustainable practices, waste management, and resource efficiency. The results indicate a downward trend in agricultural water extraction, accompanied by an increase in the food production-to-water consumption ratio, suggesting improved efficiency. Although agricultural carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions remained relatively stable, they exhibit a positive association with water use. Overall, the findings highlight the progress achieved in the adoption of CE practices within the agricultural sector across the analyzed regions, underscoring the critical role of policy interventions and innovation in advancing climate resilience objectives.