Circular Economy

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The transition to a Circular Economy is high on the EESC agenda as a solution to fight the climate crisis and protect our planet. It is a great opportunity for civil society as it can help to:

  • increase the competitiveness of European industry;
  • promote sustainable economic growth;
  • generate new jobs.

The 'take-make-waste' model of production and consumption that still dominates our economy today is not only culminating in wasted resources, but also undermining the fight against climate change. Unlike the linear economy, a Circular Economy is a regenerative and restorative design that focuses on economic value creation and retention, tackling global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution while yielding economic benefits.

The good news is that the circular transition is already happening on the ground. Stakeholders from civil society including businesses, trade unions, academia and knowledge communities, youth organisations as well as NGOs and other interest groups are creating and implementing many circular initiatives at local and regional level. Catalysing circular solutions and leadership from relevant stakeholders is Europe's best opportunity to accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy. 

As such, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a joint initiative of the EESC and the European Commission, is a platform established in 2017 to bring together the Circular Economy community in Europe. The stakeholder-driven platform supports Europe's transition towards a Circular Economy by fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge and exchanging best practices.

Displaying 21 - 30 of 69
  • Adopted on 15/07/2020 - Bureau decision date: 09/06/2020

    Recovery plan for Europe and the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

    Reference
    ECO/523-EESC-2020-02886-00-00-AC-TRA
    Referral
    COM(2020) 441 final 2020/0111 NLE
    COM(2020) 442 final
    COM(2020) 442 final
    COM(2020) 443 final 2018/0166 APP
    COM(2020) 443 final 2018/0166 APP
    COM(2020) 445 final 2018/0135 CNS
    COM(2020) 446 final 2020/0109 APP
    COM(2020) 446 final 2020/0109 APP
    COM(2020) 456 final
    COM(2020) 459 final 2018/0224 COD
    Rapporteur
    , Petr ZAHRADNÍK (/Czech Republic)

    The EESC strongly supports the Commission's proposal – Next Generation EU – as a specific tool for a quick and effective recovery.

    The EESC takes a very positive view of the Commission's two main decisions:

    1. to introduce an extraordinary financial recovery instrument as part of the multiannual financial framework
    2. to raise common debt, which will be repaid over a long period of time, and prevent the extraordinary financial burden from falling directly on the Member States in the short run.

    The EESC strongly welcomes the fact that the newly proposed instrument should be closely coordinated with the European Semester process, and furthermore welcomes the Commission's proposal to introduce additional genuine own resources based on different taxes (revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System, digital taxation, large companies' revenues).

    Download — EESC opinion: Recovery plan for Europe and the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027
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  • Adopted on 15/07/2020 - Bureau decision date: 18/02/2020

    Industrial strategy

    Reference
    INT/897-EESC-2020
    Referral
    COM(2020) 102 final
    Rapporteur
    Mihai IVAŞCU
    (Romania
    Co-rapporteur
    Dirk BERGRATH
    Workers - GR II
    Germany

    The European Union and its Member States must stand united to protect their sovereignty. The EESC firmly believes that if Europe is to maintain its leading role in the world, it needs a strong, competitive industrial base. The EESC recognises the crucial importance of shifting to a carbon-neutral economy and of reversing the current curve of biodiversity collapse. Without a green industrial strategy as a cornerstone of the Green Deal, the EU will never succeed in reaching a carbon-neutral economy within one generation. The new industrial strategy must ensure the right balance between supporting European businesses, respecting our 2050 climate neutrality objective and providing consumers with incentives to shift consumption to sustainable goods and services .

    Download — EESC opinion: Industrial strategy
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  • Adopted on 30/10/2019 - Bureau decision date: 19/03/2019

    Delivering on the circular economy action plan

    Reference
    NAT/775-EESC-2019-02306
    Referral
    COM(2019) 190 final
    Rapporteur
    Peter SCHMIDT
    Workers - GR II
    Germany
    Download — EESC opinion: Delivering on the circular economy action plan
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  • Adopted on 26/09/2019 - Bureau decision date: 24/01/2019

    Developing synergies across different circular economy roadmaps (own-initiative opinion)

    Reference
    NAT/764-EESC-2019-02078-00-00
    Rapporteur
    Cillian LOHAN
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Ireland
    Download — EESC opinion: Developing synergies across different circular economy roadmaps (own-initiative opinion)
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  • Adopted on 17/07/2019 - Bureau decision date: 19/03/2019

    Report on the State of the Energy Union

    Reference
    TEN/695-EESC-2019-01938
    Referral
    COM(2019) 175 final
    COM(2019) 175 final
    Rapporteur
    Christophe QUAREZ
    Workers - GR II
    France

    The EESC takes note of the Fourth Report on the State of the Energy Union (SEU), supports the objectives of the Energy Union and welcomes the emphasis on the engagement and mobilisation of EU society to take full ownership of the Energy Union.

    Download — EESC opinion: Report on the State of the Energy Union
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  • Adopted on 19/09/2018 - Bureau decision date: 22/05/2018

    Vehicle safety / protection of vulnerable road users

    Reference
    INT/863-EESC-2018-02860-00-00-AC-TRA
    Referral
    COM(2018) 286 final 2018/0145 COD
    COM(2018) 286 final 2018/0145 COD
    Rapporteur
    Raymond HENCKS
    (Luxembourg

    The majority of road accidents are down to human error alone, so a comprehensive approach to road safety is needed. It should cover driver behaviour, the working conditions and skills of professional drivers, and infrastructure.

    Download — EESC opinion: Vehicle safety / protection of vulnerable road users
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  • Adopted on 11/07/2018 - Bureau decision date: 19/09/2017

    Monitoring framework for the circular economy (communication)

    Reference
    NAT/722-EESC-2018-00464
    Referral
    COM(2018) 29 final
    Rapporteur
    Cillian LOHAN
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Ireland
    Co-rapporteur
    Tellervo KYLÄ-HARAKKA-RUONALA
    (Finland

    The circular economy monitoring framework draws upon and complements the existing Resource Efficiency Scoreboard and Raw Materials Scoreboard, which were developed in recent years by the Commission.

    Download — EESC opinion: Monitoring framework for the circular economy (communication)
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  • Adopted on 23/05/2018 - Bureau decision date: 19/09/2017

    Strategy on plastics in a circular economy (communication)

    Reference
    NAT/721-EESC-2018-00536
    Referral
    COM(2018) 28 final
    COM(2018) 28 final
    COM(2018) 33 final 2018/0012 COD
    COM(2018) 33 final 2018/0012 COD
    Rapporteur
    Antonello PEZZINI
    (Italy

    This EESC opinion covers 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), as this initiative also contributes to the objective of reducing the leakage of plastics into the environment

    Download — EESC opinion: Strategy on plastics in a circular economy (communication)
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  • Adopted on 18/10/2017 - Bureau decision date: 23/02/2017

    New sustainable economic models (exploratory opinion requested by the Commission)

    Reference
    SC/48-EESC-2017-01690-00-00-AC-TRA
    Rapporteur
    Anne CHASSAGNETTE
    (France
    Co-rapporteur
    Carlos TRIAS PINTÓ
    (Spain

    This Committee opinion, prepared in response to the commission's request, has taken stock of the views of European stakeholders on how EU policies and regulatory action can use sustainable economic models to transition successfully towards economic modernisation by reconciling economic prosperity and efficiency, social inclusion and environmental responsibility.

    Download — EESC opinion: New sustainable economic models (exploratory opinion requested by the Commission)
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    • Expert hearing SC/048
    • Expert hearing SC/048
    • Expert hearing SC/048
    • Expert hearing SC/048
  • Adopted on 05/07/2017 - Bureau decision date: 24/01/2017

    Restrictions on hazardous substances

    Reference
    NAT/707-EESC-2017
    Referral
    COM(2017) 38 final 2017/0013 COD
    Rapporteur
    Brian CURTIS
    (United Kingdom

    RoHS 2 addresses the waste hierarchy’s highest priority, waste prevention. Waste prevention includes measures that reduce the content of harmful substances in materials and products. Decreasing the amount of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic waste benefits the management of such waste as a result.

    Download — EESC opinion: Restrictions on hazardous substances
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 69