Cirkulär ekonomi

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Omställningen till en cirkulär ekonomi står högt på EESK:s dagordning som ett sätt att bekämpa klimatkrisen och skydda vår planet. Omställningen utgör ett utmärkt tillfälle för det civila samhället eftersom den kan

  • förbättra EU-industrins konkurrenskraft,
  • främja en hållbar ekonomisk tillväxt,
  • skapa nya arbetstillfällen.

Den linjära produktions- och konsumtionsmodell som fortfarande dominerar vår ekonomi i dag leder inte bara till bortslösade resurser, utan undergräver också kampen mot klimatförändringarna. Till skillnad från den linjära ekonomin är en cirkulär ekonomi regenerativ och återställande till sitt väsen samt inriktad på att skapa och bevara ekonomiskt värde. Den tar itu med globala miljöutmaningar såsom klimatförändringar, förlust av biologisk mångfald och föroreningar och ger samtidigt ekonomiska fördelar.

Den goda nyheten är att den cirkulära omställningen redan äger rum på fältet. Berörda aktörer från det civila samhället, däribland företag, fackföreningar, den akademiska världen och kunskapsgemenskaper, ungdomsorganisationer samt icke-statliga organisationer och andra intressegrupper, skapar och genomför många cirkulära initiativ på lokal och regional nivå. Att katalysera cirkulära lösningar och ledarskap från berörda aktörer är Europas bästa möjlighet att påskynda omställningen till en cirkulär ekonomi.

Europeiska plattformen för berörda aktörer inom den cirkulära ekonomin, ett gemensamt initiativ av EESK och kommissionen, är en plattform som inrättades 2017 för att sammanföra aktörerna inom den cirkulära ekonomin i Europa. Den aktörsdrivna plattformen stöder Europas omställning till en cirkulär ekonomi genom att främja dialog, dela kunskap och utbyta bästa praxis.

  • Joint side event by the EESC and the Government of Slovenia at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF)

    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 

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    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.

  • NAT Section thematic debate

    The NAT Section will hold a debate on "Circular Economy Strategies and Roadmaps: Cooperation and Inclusion" at its meeting of 23rd May.

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    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.

  • Consumer Summit 2018
    Consumer Summit 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.

  • EU Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy

    Action on plastics was identified as a priority in the 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan, to help European businesses and consumers to use resources in a more sustainable way. The hearing will look into the strategy on plastics in a circular economy (including action on marine litter) proposed by the EC in the context of 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).

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    Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference

    The 2nd annual conference of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform took place on 20 and 21 February 2018. The first day was hosted by the Commission (DG GROW and DG ENV) in the Charlemagne building, the second day by the European Economic and Social Committee.

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    With a view to taking stock of the Action Plan's implementation, looking at next steps and discussing the goals and practicalities of a European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, the EESC and the European Commission co-organised a conference which took place on 9-10 March in Brussels.