Leveraging Circular Economy Models for Water Conservation: A Narrative Review of Green Economic Pathways in BRICS Nations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.723Keywords:
Water Conservation, Circular Economy, BRICS, Sustainability, ReuseAbstract
Water is a critical resource, and its declining availability poses a serious threat to both developing and developed economies, particularly in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a strategy to balance economic growth and resource sustainability. This narrative review explores how CE principles, including waste minimisation, resource recovery, and process closure, have been applied to water conservation across BRICS countries over the past 20 years. The review synthesises key themes, including water reuse technologies, governance, and policy frameworks. The findings highlight promising initiatives in wastewater reclamation, industrial water reuse, and reductions in freshwater abstraction. However, implementation remains uneven due to inconsistent policy frameworks, limited financing, and cultural barriers. China and India demonstrate the most documented case studies, while other BRICS countries show potential for wider adoption through knowledge transfer and coordinated policy approaches. The study underscores the need to further integrate CE principles into water governance to mitigate water scarcity, strengthen resilience to climate variability, and support green economic growth. Future research should address persistent gaps related to water equity, rural access, and inclusive implementation.
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