The Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy in the Water Sector of the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian Government) and the Universitat de València (GVA-UV), led by Francesc Hernández, has launched a new collaboration programme with the University of Calabria to study and promote circular economy.

During the last years different joint initiatives have been carried out between researchers of the Chair for Circular Economy GVA-UV and numerous professors from the University of Calabria. Specifically, through this collaboration the environmental and economic viability of reuse projects will be analysed through the exchange of experiences both in Calabria and in the Valencian Community. Special attention will be paid to innovative proposals and their potential when using the water that has been regenerated in agriculture. Different financing forms are being analysed to boost circular economy.

According to Herández, ‘There are many areas of common interest with the Chair GVA-UV and there is total affinity regarding the objectives that must be achieved in the transformation of the economic model towards circular economy’. ‘There is total consensus on the need to carry out joint studies on economic efficiency in the management of the water cycle and the use of tariffs to encourage good use of this valuable resource', says Hernández.

Furthermore, this collaboration will allow for the exploration of real-world case studies and successful examples of sustainable water management, while also allowing for the analysis of the economic implications associated with the integration of circular economy into urban water management, making room for an in-depth examination of the financial aspects, i.e. the costs and benefits of implementing reuse programmes. With this collaboration, Hernández and his collaborators hope to empirically demonstrate that 'the sustainable management of water via circular economy is not only necessary and desirable, but also economically viable'.

In the agreement, the parties also agree to initiate training and outreach activities to disseminate the information throughout the water sector.
 

The Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy

The Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Universitat de València aims to study and develop proposals, promote knowledge and disseminate topics related to the circular perspective of economy. It intends to promote the transformation of the current economic model towards another one based on innovation, knowledge and sustainability from an environmental, productive and social point of view.

Under the sponsorship of the Regional Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration of the Generalitat Valenciana, this chair is directed by Francesc Hernández and its activity is focused on the promotion of circular economy through training, research and dissemination activities.

Furthermore, the Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy is part of a Network of Chairs for the Transformation of the Economic Model in which all the Public Universities of the Valencian Community are integrated.