Driving the future of sustainability with the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

In 2014, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recognised this need and took decisive action. In 2017, in partnership with the European Commission, we launched the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP). The ECESP unites civil society, businesses, trade unions, think tanks and public bodies in a shared mission: to accelerate Europe’s transition to a resource-efficient circular economy.

Since its inception, the ECESP has become the driving force behind Europe’s circular transition. It houses nearly 800 examples of successful circular practices, offering concrete solutions to stakeholders and companies ready to implement sustainable initiatives.

Leading the way are initiatives like Denmark’s Kalundborg Symbiosis and the Netherlands’ Circle Economy. Kalundborg Symbiosis proves that sharing resources and by-products among companies reduces waste and boosts efficiency. Circle Economy pushes the boundaries with innovative business models and sustainable solutions that deliver both economic and environmental gains. These examples underscore the transformative power of circular economy principles.

Today, the ECESP is a global leader in circularity, inspiring action worldwide and playing a pivotal role in international forums such as the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) and COP conferences.

The EESC plays a critical role in connecting stakeholder insights directly to EU policy, ensuring that the circular economy stays at the heart of the legislative agenda. Flagship events like #EUCircularTalks and the platform’s annual conference are vital forums for gathering input and addressing challenges.

Looking ahead

We are committed to keeping circular economy at the forefront of Europe’s political and economic agenda. The ECESP’s impact is clear: sustainable practices are driving job creation, improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Through these efforts, Europe is building a future that is more sustainable, resilient, and equitable for all.

‘Circular economy is about people. It’s all about people. When we discuss the concept of circular economy, very often we think of material flows, we think of eco design, we think of secondary raw material markets, but really, the piece that we forget is that, at the centre of all of this are people. It’s about creating societies where we can live and prosper comfortably on this planet.’ Cillian Lohan, EESC member

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