Public defence: Small changes can have a big impact on sustainability transitions
In her dissertation, Hanna Entsalo examines how public policies, such as policy strategies and legislation, influence transitions towards the circular economy and sustainability. Entsalo works as a researcher in the Circular Economy Solutions Unit at the Finnish Environment Institute. Her work focuses on circular economy policy instruments, sustainability transitions, and innovation policy, particularly at the national and EU levels.
The circular economy means a system change that aims to reduce the use of raw materials and generation of waste by, for example, designing products that are more durable and repairable. Circular economy policies have often sought to reconcile economic and environmental objectives. However, sustainability goals can easily be overshadowed by more immediate concerns and economic priorities, making public policies essential for advancing sustainability.
“Public policies can drive significant societal reforms, but they can also shift responsibility elsewhere and dilute previously established goals,” Entsalo says.
Public governance is often viewed as either enabling or slowing down change. However, the dissertation shows that such roles can also occur simultaneously and unintentionally. For example, increasingly complex impact assessments may lengthen legislative preparation processes to the point where requirements intended to advance the circular economy are already outdated by the time they enter into force.
Circular economy transitions do not recognize national borders
Product value chains and material flows cross national and continental borders, making them challenging to steer. Circular economy policy is developed particularly at the EU and national levels. The concrete actions of national circular economy policies remain national, while the dissertation argues that the role of municipalities and regions is not sufficiently recognized.
The research focuses particularly on Finland, the Netherlands, and France, countries that position themselves as frontrunners in the circular economy. France has invested heavily in implementing strong national legislation. At times, ambitious national policy measures have conflicted with EU-level policies, but several French initiatives have also been adopted across the EU.
“By referring to EU-level policies or citizens’ responsibility, governments can also avoid politically difficult issues and postpone more ambitious national policymaking,” Entsalo emphasizes.
Risk of diluting environmental objectives
The significance of gradual change has often been underestimated in research. This dissertation demonstrates how small, incremental adjustments can produce major societal impacts.
Incremental changes can be implemented quickly and often encounter less resistance than more radical reforms. For example, increasingly stringent legislation enabled the development of new lighting technologies and eventually removed short-lived, energy-intensive incandescent light bulbs from the market. Similar transformations in other sectors are essential for sustainability transitions.
In recent years, public debate and policymaking have increasingly focused on competitiveness and reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
“The circular economy, in its broader sense, is well suited to advancing these objectives as well. The risk, however, is that environmental goals may become diluted,” Entsalo notes.
Public defence and dissertation
Date and time: Friday, 9 October 2026, at 1 pm (EEST)
Location: Lecture Hall 6, Metsätalo Building, University of Helsinki, Unioninkatu 40, Helsinki
The public defence can also be followed online: event link (helsinki.fi)
Language: English
Doctoral dissertation: Tracing transformative potential in gradual changes and scalar shifts: The complex roles of policies in sustainability transitions towards the circular economy (helda.helsinki.fi)
The opponent will be Professor Teis Hansen from the University of Copenhagen. The custos will be Professor David Thomas of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki.
