{
  "id": 11506294,
  "title": "Small changes can have a big impact on sustainability transitions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/small-changes-can-have-a-big-impact-on-sustainability-transitions",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-02T19:20:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-small-big-impact-sustainability-transitions.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hanna Entsalo's dissertation explores how policies impact transitions towards a circular economy and sustainability. Entsalo is a researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute, focusing on policy instruments, sustainability transitions, and innovation policy at the national and EU levels. The circular economy aims to reduce raw material use and waste generation through product durability and repairability. While public policies can drive significant societal reforms, they may also shift responsibility and dilute established goals. Policies can either enable or hinder change, sometimes unintentionally, as seen in lengthy legislative processes that render previously established goals outdated. Material flows across borders complicate policy implementation, though municipalities and regions often play a lesser-known role. Finland, the Netherlands, and France, as circular economy pioneers, demonstrate the importance of coordinated governance and the potential dilution of environmental goals in favor of competitiveness and reduced raw material dependence. Incremental policy adjustments, though often underestimated, can yield major societal impacts and should be carefully considered in sustainability transitions.",
  "summary": "In her dissertation, Hanna Entsalo examines how public policies, such as policy strategies and legislation, influence transitions toward 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,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Policies can significantly influence circular economy transitions.",
    "Overly complex legislation may undermine sustainability goals.",
    "Incremental policy changes can lead to major societal impacts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}