EU Towards a Circular Economy Model
The 10th of February 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the new circular economy action plan, demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050.
In tomorrow’s Europe agenda, finite resources to attain from and climate issues are perceived as the first and foremost important obstacle towards a resilient, digital and green EU area. The current crisis made it possible to observe the repercussions of a weaker value chain spreading to the industry and SMEs. To counter it, the EU needs to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back more than it takes, the circular economy model, striving to reduce its consumption footprint and doubling its circular material use rate in the coming decade.
Following the March 2020 proposition from the European Commission, in which it exposed a New Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU will aspire towards achieving coordinated efforts, working together to create the framework for sustainable products and allow new opportunities to surge in its favour. Furthermore, this progressive, yet irreversible transition to a sustainable economic system is an indispensable part of the new EU industrial strategy. This Circular Economy Action Plan provides a future-oriented agenda for achieving a cleaner and more competitive Europe in co-creation with economic actors, consumers, citizens and civil society organisations.
The set for a common goal…
In fact, if building on the single market and the potential of digital technologies, the circular economy can strengthen the EU’s industrial base and foster business creation and entrepreneurship among SMEs. Consequently, Securing tomorrow’s Innovative models based on a collaborative economy, and powered by digital technologies, such as the internet, big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence, it will not only accelerate circularity but also make Europe less dependent on primary materials and reduce the Carbon footprint. For citizens, the circular economy will provide high-quality, safe products, characterized by an higher degree of efficiency and affordability, and designed for reuse and high-quality recycling. Thus, bringing about a better quality of life, innovative jobs and upgraded knowledge and skills.
The plan redacted by the EC aims at accelerating the transformational change required by the European Green Deal, while building on circular economy actions implemented since 2015. It will ensure that the regulatory framework is streamlined and made fit for a sustainable future, and that the new opportunities from the transition are maximised, while minimising burdens on people and businesses.
A final reminder acknowledges that “Europe will not achieve transformative change by acting alone. The EU will continue to lead the way to a circular economy at the global level and use its influence, expertise and financial resources to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This plan aims also at ensuring that the circular economy works for people, regions and cities, fully contributes to climate neutrality and harnesses the potential of research, innovation and digitalisation. It foresees the further development of a sound monitoring framework contributing to measuring well-being beyond GDP”, extract from EC March Communications, a new Circular Economy Action Plan.
