Europe is aiming to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. In a leaked report from Euractiv, they state the European Commission aims to “absolutely decouple” (separate) economic growth from natural resource use. In March they will unveil a ‘draft circular economy action plan’ that they say will be “instrumental” for Europe to become climate-neutral.
In an introduction to the new strategy the Commission said: “To absolutely decouple growth from resource use, we must change the way we produce, market, consume and trade, and the way we deal with waste.”
They point out that 66% of emissions are related to materials management and “circularity is a major driver of climate neutrality” that needs to be incorporated.
A circular economy helps reduce waste through the promotion of reusing, refurbishing, repairing, and recycling of existing products and materials. This brings more value to products by keeping them in circulation, helping the environment and the economy.
Jean-Pierre Schweitzer, a Policy Officer on Circular Economy at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) recently said in an email to Euractiv:
The draft Circular Economy Action Plan shows many promising elements, notably the ambition to reduce our consumption of resources in absolute terms and to make all products on the European market sustainable. We are very happy to see targets for both waste prevention and absolute resource use reduction.
The EEB has been campaigning for some time on how to help transform the EU Waste Policy with a list of 10 priorities or areas to focus on. The list includes: Ensuring clean, safe, and non-toxic material cycles, stimulate reusable packaging and phasing out waste incineration. You can view the detailed EEB Waste Policy here.
A main priority of the circular economy roadmap is to cut municipal waste by 50%. “By 2030, only safer, circular, and sustainable products should be placed on the EU market.” They also wish to implement minimum requirements that will prevent unsustainable products from entering the EU market.
Schweitzer thinks the plan is good but calls for more urgency in his email:
A resource target based on material footprint is very welcome, but we must set a target for 2030, as a 2050 target will not drive a political debate. We hope the Commission is committed to swiftly setting minimum requirements in the sectoral strategies on textiles and construction. We are surprised furniture is not mentioned.
Other areas of focus for the action plan include:
- An “EU-wide ban of certain green-washing,” that would include “a new legislative proposal requiring companies to substantiate their claims on environmental performance” using EU-approved methodologies.
- A new “right to repair” EU consumer law that will give people the availability of spare parts and “affordable repair services.”
- New regulations on fertilizing products that will encourage nutrient recycling and have a better impact on human health and our natural environment.
- Making drinkable water accessible in public places to reduce plastic bottle use.
- Revised rules for waste shipments.
- Stricter labeling rules of bio-plastics providing genuine environmental benefits.
- Promoting “circular global value chains” in trade talks, aimed at a global agreement on plastics and waste management.
A larger version of the list can be found on Euractiv’s site and a full download of the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan can be found here.
