Omstillingen til en cirkulær økonomi står højt på EØSU's dagsorden som en løsning på, hvordan klimakrisen kan bekæmpes, og vores planet beskyttes. For civilsamfundet er det en stor mulighed, da det kan bidrage til at:
- øge det europæiske erhvervslivs konkurrenceevne
- fremme bæredygtig økonomisk vækst
- skabe nye jobs.
Den "take-make-waste"-model for produktion og forbrug, der stadig præger vores økonomi i dag, resulterer ikke blot i, at ressourcer spildes, men undergraver også kampen mod klimaændringerne. Modsat den lineære økonomi er en cirkulær økonomi en regenererende og genoprettende model med fokus på at skabe og fastholde økonomisk værdi, tackle globale udfordringer som klimaændringer, tab af biodiversitet og forurening og samtidig skabe et økonomisk udbytte.
Den gode nyhed er, at den cirkulære omstilling allerede er i gang i praksis. Civilsamfundsinteressenter, herunder virksomheder, fagforeninger, den akademiske verden og vidensamfund, ungdomsorganisationer, NGO'er og andre interessegrupper, er i gang med at udvikle og gennemføre mange cirkulære initiativer på lokalt og regionalt niveau. Udnyttelse af cirkulære løsninger og lederskab fra relevante interessenter er Europas bedste mulighed for at fremskynde omstillingen til en cirkulær økonomi.
Den europæiske interessentplatform for cirkulær økonomi er et sådant eksempel. Det er et fælles initiativ, der blev etableret af EØSU og Kommissionen i 2017 for at bringe interessenter inden for den cirkulære økonomi i Europa sammen. Den interessentdrevne platform støtter Europas omstilling til en cirkulær økonomi gennem fremme af dialog, videndeling og udveksling af bedste praksis.
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EventTo address planned obsolescence, protect consumers and boost the transition to a circular economy, in 2013 the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called for a total ban on products with built-in defects designed to prematurely end a product's life. It recommended that better information to consumers on the lifespan of products should be established. On the basis of this opinion – the first European text on this topic – the European Parliament voted in July 2017 on a resolution for a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies
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EventThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is approaching its third year in the march towards realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The High-level Political Forum session this year focused on the theme "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies". The European Economic and Social Committee was delighted to partner with several member states this year to co-host side events for knowledge exchange on important aspects that relate to the five environmental SDGs in focus at HLPF 2018.
EventConsumer Summit 2018
As a follow-up to the Consumer Dialogues, "Les Assises des Consommateurs" (the 2018 Consumer Summit) showcased the results of this outreach and offered the opportunity for debate and conclusions.
EventAction on plastics was identified as a priority in the 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan, to help European businesses and consumers to use resources in a more sustainable way. The hearing will look into the strategy on plastics in a circular economy (including action on marine litter) proposed by the EC in the context of both the Communication on A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy (COM(2018) 28 final) and the proposal for a Directive on Port Reception Facilities (COM(2018) 33 final).
EventCircular Economy Stakeholder Conference
The 2nd annual conference of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform took place on 20 and 21 February 2018. The first day was hosted by the Commission (DG GROW and DG ENV) in the Charlemagne building, the second day by the European Economic and Social Committee.
EventWith a view to taking stock of the Action Plan's implementation, looking at next steps and discussing the goals and practicalities of a European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, the EESC and the European Commission co-organised a conference which took place on 9-10 March in Brussels.
PublicationStudy
61 pages
The study reviews recent analyses to understand the green or circular skills of the future which have been identified thus far in sectoral and EU-wide research. Moreover, it examines EU Initiatives on skills development for circularity, by highlighting some limitations of these instruments and making suggestions for improvement.
Publication24 pages
Conclusions of the 23rd edition of European Consumer Day 2022 - 17 November 2022
Publication12 pages
The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (known by its French acronym of CCMI, Commission consultative des mutations industrielles) became part of the European Economic and Social Committee in 2002; therefore 2022 marks its 20th anniversary. The CCMI is the oldest EU body devoted to forecasting the future and accompanying the transition of industrial sectors.
Publication14 pages
Between June 2021 and March 2022, the EESC held a series of events on the updated new industrial strategy. Each event was organised by a different section of the EESC and focused on a specific aspect of the strategy, with the aim of hearing the views of civil society organisations on the future of European industry.
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