Policies for the transition to circular construction: A systematic literature review

Policy support is an indispensable enabler to provide top-down momentum towards the transition to circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. However, CE implementation in construction is still in its infancy impeded by various barriers. Little is known about the impact of policy tools on initiating behavioural changes. This study aims to investigate how CE policies impact on the transition to circular construction through the lens of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify CE policy instruments and relate them to the main constructs of TPB, namely attitude, subjective norms, and behavioural control. Results presented 17 CE policy tools classified into economic incentive, regulation control, and supporting activities. This study revealed that existing policy instruments showed relevance to the three behavioural determinants in TPB implying their positive impact on encouraging circular behaviour. However, their effectiveness in driving behavioural change is still unclear. Future studies may consider policy evaluation methodologies, such as system dynamics modelling, to understand the effectiveness of policies through scenario analysis.