Given the complex and often negative interactions between humanity and nature, methodologies and frameworks for assessing the concepts of circularity (C) and sustainability (S) have become the focus of many studies in the last decade. However, C and S have developed partially independently, impairing the interpretation of their intricate relationships. In this context, there is still no regulatory framework on how to assess them in an integrated manner through simple but robust indicators. To fill this gap, this study proposes an evaluation framework that allows the holistic integration of C and S indicators (integration of CIrcularity and SUstainable indicators – CISU methodology) taking the dairy sector as a case study. For this purpose, 50 Spanish dairy farms have been selected to estimate a Composite Dairy Farm index (CDFi) as a result of the integration of 9 C indicators and 21 S indicators. The results obtained showed a relative homogeneity among dairy farms as well as some room for improvement, with the CDFi (scores from 0 to 100) varying from 36 to 64 points. The results indicate that minimising reliance on external cow feed, use of own-produced fodders, and suitable field management are essential to achieve a circular and sustainable milk production system. This manuscript contributes with the proposal of a novel framework that can be adapted to different companies and products to assess the implementation of CE principles to achieve sustainable development. However, the integration of additional aspects, such as industrial symbiosis, or its applicability at meso level appear as challenges in order to implement sustainable development throughout the supply chain.

中文翻译：

---

将循环性纳入奶牛场可持续发展的重要支柱

鉴于人类与自然之间复杂且往往是负面的相互作用，评估循环性（C）和可持续性（S）概念的方法和框架已成为过去十年许多研究的焦点。然而，C 和 S 部分独立发展，损害了对它们错综复杂关系的解释。在此背景下，如何通过简单但稳健的指标对它们进行综合评估仍没有监管框架。为了填补这一空白，本研究提出了一个评估框架，以乳制品行业为案例研究，允许C和S指标的整体整合（循环性和可持续指标的整合——CISU方法论）。为此，选择了 50 个西班牙奶牛场来估算综合奶牛场指数 (CDFi)，该指数综合了 9 个 C 指标和 21 个 S 指标。获得的结果显示奶牛场之间的相对同质性以及一些改进的空间，CDFi（分数从 0 到 100）从 36 到 64 分不等。结果表明，最大限度地减少对外部奶牛饲料的依赖、使用自产饲料以及适当的田间管理对于实现循环和可持续的牛奶生产系统至关重要。本手稿提出了一个新颖的框架的提案，该框架可以适应不同的公司和产品，以评估 CE 原则的实施情况，以实现可持续发展。然而，其他方面的整合，例如产业共生，或其在中观层面的适用性，对于在整个供应链中实现可持续发展来说似乎是一个挑战。