Comité Económico e Social Europeu
A transição para a economia circular ocupa um lugar cimeiro na ordem do dia do CESE enquanto solução para lutar contra a crise climática e proteger o planeta. Constitui ao mesmo tempo uma excelente oportunidade para a sociedade civil, pois pode contribuir para:
O modelo de produção e consumo linear, baseado no princípio «produz-utiliza-deita fora», que ainda domina a nossa economia não só resulta no desperdício de recursos como também prejudica a luta contra as alterações climáticas. Ao contrário da economia linear, a economia circular assenta numa conceção regenerativa e restauradora centrada na criação e retenção de valor económico, o que permite enfrentar os desafios ambientais a nível mundial, como as alterações climáticas, a perda de biodiversidade e a poluição, colhendo ao mesmo tempo benefícios económicos.
A boa notícia é que a transição para a economia circular já está em marcha no terreno. A nível local e regional, existem inúmeras iniciativas circulares concebidas e executadas pelas partes interessadas da sociedade civil, nomeadamente empresas, sindicatos, universidades e comunidades de conhecimento, organizações de juventude, ONG e outros grupos de interesses. A Europa tem a sua melhor oportunidade para acelerar a transição para a economia circular atuando como catalisador das soluções circulares das partes interessadas pertinentes e do seu papel de liderança neste processo.
Neste sentido, em 2017, o CESE e a Comissão Europeia criaram em conjunto a Plataforma Europeia das Partes Interessadas da Economia Circular, que visa reunir a comunidade da economia circular na Europa. Esta plataforma, dinamizada pelas partes interessadas, apoia a transição europeia para a economia circular promovendo o diálogo, partilhando conhecimentos e fazendo o intercâmbio de boas práticas entre os vários intervenientes.
On 1 and 2 March 2022, this annual conference will bring together Europe's largest network of stakeholders in the Circular Economy. The focus this year is on the path to a new normal: "sustainable products for sustainable consumption."
The conference will explore the role of European Civil Society in using digitalization in a way that it enables and drives sustainability to support the European Green Deal and the EU sustainable recovery.
The annual Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, jointly organised by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, is an opportunity for stakeholders to meet, nurture their networks, share ideas and learn about the new EU policy developments on circular economy. The 2020 edition will be digital with a focus on renewal as we emerge from the COVID pandemic.
The world is facing a climate emergency causing unprecedented economic, social and environmental challenges. Ambitious policy and action are necessary at all levels to accelerate a just transition to a sustainable future, while leaving no one behind. This is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exposed the fragility of the current system. ► Watch again
As in previous years, the EESC was present at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), from Tuesday, 16 July, to Thursday, 18 July 2019. The HLPF is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The NAT Section will hold a debate on "Circular Economy Strategies and Roadmaps: Cooperation and Inclusion" at its meeting of 23rd May.
The European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will host the 2019 European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference on March 6 and 7 in Brussels.
Day 1, to be hosted by the Europan Commission, will explore the action plan as a successful framework for the transition, while discussing policies to capitalise on the current global momentum. It will also widen the discussion to consider the circular economy as an enabler to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Day 2 will be hosted by the EESC and is being prepared jointly with the Coordination Group members of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform. This day will feature eight different participatory workshops, whose purpose is to share successes and identify new challenges.
To address planned obsolescence, protect consumers and boost the transition to a circular economy, in 2013 the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called for a total ban on products with built-in defects designed to prematurely end a product's life. It recommended that better information to consumers on the lifespan of products should be established. On the basis of this opinion – the first European text on this topic – the European Parliament voted in July 2017 on a resolution for a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies
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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is approaching its third year in the march towards realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The High-level Political Forum session this year focused on the theme "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies". The European Economic and Social Committee was delighted to partner with several member states this year to co-host side events for knowledge exchange on important aspects that relate to the five environmental SDGs in focus at HLPF 2018.
As a follow-up to the Consumer Dialogues, "Les Assises des Consommateurs" (the 2018 Consumer Summit) showcased the results of this outreach and offered the opportunity for debate and conclusions.
