Kreislaufwirtschaft

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Der Übergang zu einer Kreislaufwirtschaft steht im Kampf gegen die Klimakrise und zum Schutz unseres Planeten als Lösung ganz oben auf der Agenda des EWSA. Für die Zivilgesellschaft eröffnet die Kreislaufwirtschaft vielfältige Möglichkeiten, denn sie kann dazu beitragen,

  • die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der europäischen Industrie zu steigern;
  • ein nachhaltiges Wirtschaftswachstum zu begünstigen;
  • neue Arbeitsplätze zu schaffen.

Das nach wie vor vorherrschende lineare Wirtschaftsmodell führt nicht nur zur Verschwendung von Ressourcen, sondern behindert auch den Kampf gegen den Klimawandel. Im Gegensatz zur linearen Wirtschaft basiert die Kreislaufwirtschaft auf einem regenerativen Ansatz, der sich auf die Schaffung und den Erhalt wirtschaftlicher Werte konzentriert. So werden globale Umweltprobleme wie Klimawandel, Biodiversitätsverlust und Umweltverschmutzung ins Visier genommen und gleichzeitig wirtschaftliche Vorteile erzielt.

Die gute Nachricht dabei ist, dass sich die Wirtschaft praktisch bereits im Übergang zur Kreislaufwirtschaft befindet. Zivilgesellschaftliche Akteure – wie Unternehmen, Gewerkschaften, Universitäten, Fachkreise, Jugendorganisationen, nichtstaatliche Organisationen und andere Interessengruppen – entwickeln und betreiben auf lokaler und regionaler Ebene zahlreiche kreislaufwirtschaftliche Initiativen. Europa kann den Übergang zu einer Kreislaufwirtschaft am besten vorantreiben, indem kreislauforientierte Lösungen forciert werden und die entsprechenden Akteure mit gutem Beispiel vorangehen.

In diesem Sinne haben der EWSA und die Europäische Kommission 2017 die Europäische Plattform der Interessenträger für die Kreislaufwirtschaft ins Leben gerufen, um die Akteure der Kreislaufwirtschaft in Europa zusammenzubringen. Diese vom Engagement der Interessenträger getragene Plattform unterstützt Europas Übergang zu einer Kreislaufwirtschaft, indem sie den Dialog, den Wissensaustausch und den Austausch bewährter Verfahren fördert.

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Critical Raw Materials: civil society calls for firm and fast action to secure supply and maintain a strong industrial base in the EU

Publication
Thematic paper
4 pages

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) believe that the present and future of critical raw materials resilience is of essential concern to EU's organised civil society. For this reason, and because the Commission's Action Plan represents a step forward by providing a clear roadmap with initiatives and actions to be taken at EU level, overall the EESC recommends that the European Parliament and the Council support this approach. 

Published in: 
2021

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Publication
8 pages

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform is a joint initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), launched in March 2017. The two institutions are working closely together to promote the Platform as a space for the exchange of ideas and a growing body of information, and to make the circular economy happen faster to the benefit of all. At the EESC, the Platform is spearheaded by three Members: Anders Ladefoged (Group I: Employers), Maria Nikolopoulou (Group II: Workers) and Cillian Lohan (Group III: Diversity Europe).

Published in: 
2021

Recycling food packaging & food waste in plastics revolution

Publication
Study
61 pages

The use of single-use plastics in packaging has grown significantly in the last decades, and with it, the pollution of our environment. There is an urgent need to improve the sustainability of our food systems, which includes also the development of more sustainable food packaging. The objective of this study is to identify and examine successful examples and approaches to food packaging in the EU and beyond, considering consumer safety, environmental, economic, social, legal and food waste reduction considerations.

Published in: 
2020

EU – the home of thriving business and people

Publication
8 pages

The EESC Employers' Group strives for a business environment that contributes to sustainable development, while keeping the EU's economy resilient and resourceful in an ever-changing world.  Our Political Priorities beyond 2020 explain how to achieve this goal by fostering EU values, strengthening the EU's economic foundation, bringing the EU to the digital forefront and seizing opportunities provided by proactive climate action.

Published in: 
2020

Identifying the Impact of the Circular Economy on the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry: Opportunities and challenges for businesses, workers and consumers – mobile phones as an example

Publication
Study
60 pages

The transition to the Circular Economy will impact businesses, workers and consumers in different ways/varying degrees across the economy. The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector is crucial for this transition. In 2016, the consumer electronics sector alone produced 44.7 million tonnes of e-waste, with mobile phones accounting for 435 thousand tonnes, and a mere 20% being recycled. This study presents the opportunities and challenges arising from implementing a circular approach, using the mobile phone sector as an example.

Published in: 
2019

Circular economy strategies and roadmaps in Europe: Identifying synergies and the potential for cooperation and alliance building – Executive summary

Publication
Study
7 pages

Circular economy strategies have been under development in European cities, regions, and countries in the last few years.  In the evolving context of the transition to a circular economy, strategies are valuable endeavours which draw attention to the topic, kickstart initiatives and bring stakeholders together. This publication is the executive summary of the study reviewing existing circular economy strategies across Europe, highlighting the different degrees of inclusiveness in terms of consultation.

Published in: 
2019

Circular economy strategies and roadmaps in Europe: Identifying synergies and the potential for cooperation and alliance building – Study

Publication
Study
88 pages

Circular economy strategies have been under development in European cities, regions, and countries in the last few years.  In the evolving context of the transition to a circular economy, strategies are valuable endeavours which draw attention to the topic, kickstart initiatives and bring stakeholders together.  This study reviews existing circular economy strategies across Europe, highlighting the different degrees of inclusiveness in terms of consultation.  The findings include a call for stronger involvement of civil society organisations in earlier phases of strategy deve

Published in: 
2019

Sustainable development is not a zero-sum game

Publication
2 pages

Sustainable development with its economic, social and environmental dimensions is an inevitable approach to the future. Enterprises play a crucial role as generators of sustainable development. A favourable business environment is needed to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of sustainability. This document summarises the views of the Employers' Group on sustainable development.

Published in: 
2019

European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Publication
8 pages

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform was launched as a joint initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in March 2017. The two institutions are working closely together to develop the Platform as a space for the exchange of ideas and a growing body of information, and to make the circular economy happen faster to the benefit of all.

Published in: 
2019

Recent Evolutions of Social Economy - Study

Publication
Study
124 pages

The general objective of the Report is to study the recent evolution of the social economy in the European Union. It focuses on three areas: firstly, the social economy and the emergent concepts/movements related to it, secondly, the public policies adopted in both the EU and the member states in recent years to enhance the social economy sector and thirdly, measuring the weight of the social economy in each EU member country.

Published in: 
2017

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