The future Circular Economy Act should place circularity at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed during a plenary debate with European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera.

The debate built on the EESC’s exploratory opinion, requested by the European Commission, which will feed into the forthcoming legislation. The Committee argues that circularity should be treated not only as an environmental objective but also as an economic and geopolitical strategy, reducing Europe’s dependence on imported resources.

Presenting the opinion, rapporteur Cillian Lohan called for a more systemic approach. 

‘The Circular Economy Act should strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and resilience by accelerating the shift from a linear – take-make-waste – economy to a circular one’, said Mr Lohan. ‘This is essential not only for people’s well-being and prosperity, but also for our planet. In concrete terms, we propose that the Act strengthens European markets for secondary raw materials and integrates a resource-use perspective into all EU policies. Circularity must become a cross-cutting principle.’

As well as advocating a genuine single market for circular products and secondary raw materials, the EESC also pushes for clearer market signals and better access to financing, particularly for SMEs and social economy actors.

The Committee also stresses the importance of workers, businesses and citizens in delivering a just and competitive transition, alongside quality jobs and new economic opportunities.

Through its cooperation with the Commission and the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, the EESC will continue bringing civil society into the implementation of Europe’s circular transition. (ks)