Closing the Loop: Circular Economy Approaches to Enhance Reforestation Efforts. A Quantitative Analysis of a Lebanese NGO

The traditional linear economy model of production and consumption, characterized by the "take-make-dispose" approach, has been found to be unsustainable and leads to environmental and social challenges. Finite resources are depleted by extraction and are not easily replaced, leading to economic instability. Therefore, the Circular Economy model continues to prove to be a relevant solution for many of the mentioned issues. At the same time, as global climate change continues to threaten the planet, reforestation remains a key solution to mitigate its effects. This study focuses on the reforestation projects carried out by a Lebanese NGO, Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, and aims to investigate the effectiveness of circular economy approaches in enhancing their outcomes, by comparing the outcomes of reforestation projects that included circular measures during their planning and execution, to projects that did not. The study utilizes a quantitative research approach and a criterion purposive sampling method to gather the data of different projects from the reports of the NGO. The findings of this study will contribute to the body of knowledge on the role of circular economy approaches in reforestation efforts and provide practical recommendations for NGOs and policymakers to inform future reforestation efforts and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of forests. ​