Comité Económico y Social Europeo
La transición hacia una economía circular ocupa un lugar destacado en la agenda del CESE como solución para luchar contra la crisis climática y proteger nuestro planeta. Es una gran oportunidad para la sociedad civil, ya que puede contribuir a:
El modelo de producción y consumo basado en «extraer, producir y desperdiciar» que sigue dominando nuestra economía en la actualidad no solo despilfarra recursos, sino que también socava la lucha contra el cambio climático. A diferencia de la economía lineal, la economía circular se basa en un diseño regenerativo y reparador que se centra en la creación y retención de valor económico y que aborda retos medioambientales mundiales como el cambio climático, la pérdida de biodiversidad y la contaminación, al tiempo que genera beneficios económicos.
La buena noticia es que la transición circular ya se está produciendo sobre el terreno. Las partes interesadas de la sociedad civil —incluidas las empresas, los sindicatos, el mundo académico y las comunidades de conocimiento, las organizaciones juveniles, así como las ONG y otros grupos de interés— están creando y aplicando numerosas iniciativas circulares a nivel local y regional. Catalizar las soluciones circulares y el liderazgo de las partes interesadas pertinentes es la mejor manera de que Europa acelere la transición hacia una economía circular.
Como tal, la Plataforma Europea de Partes Interesadas de la Economía Circular —una iniciativa conjunta del CESE y de la Comisión Europea— es una plataforma creada en 2017 para reunir a la comunidad de la economía circular en Europa. La plataforma impulsada por las partes interesadas respalda la transición de Europa hacia una economía circular mediante el fomento del diálogo y el intercambio de conocimientos y buenas prácticas.
Following the publication of the European Commission's Update to the New Industrial Strategy, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been carrying out a series of activities to fulfil its role of representing the views of organised civil society. A key event in this process has been a conference held on 17 June 2021, from 2.30 to 6 p.m., on Updated industrial strategy: towards a more resilient and strategically autonomous EU industry.
Following the publication of the European Commission's Update to the New Industrial Strategy, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been carrying out a series of activities to fulfil its role of representing the views of organised civil society. A first event in this process has been a conference held on 17 June 2021, from 2.30 to 6 p.m., on Updated industrial strategy: towards a more resilient and strategically autonomous EU industry?
The European Commission has published a proposal for a new regulatory framework for batteries and waste batteries, aiming to establish minimum sustainability requirements for all batteries placed on the EU internal market. The EESC supports the proposed measures, however, it calls for more precise and workable governance instruments to implement the new regulation, with the involvement of all stakeholders.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
