Recognising the need for a more circular construction sector, the Horizon 2020 e-SAFE project is trying to change the way we approach building retrofitting, enhancing the overall longevity of existing structures.
The uptake of green and digital technologies will massively increase demand for critical raw materials (CRMs). Since CRM supply chains are heavily concentrated, this exposes the EU to significant CRM supply risks. Several policy options emerge for the EU to address these risks. Domestically, there is potential to produce primary and secondary CRMs, yet significant time and resources will be required to scale up production.
Material substitution and resource efficiency might also play non-negligible roles with enough R&I support. Internationally, both trade policy and international cooperation (including within multilateral fora) hold significant prospects for mitigating supply risks. If properly managed, stockpiling CRMs can also help shield against short-term supply or price shock.
For the EU’s Green Deal to be effective, it is critical to target the root cause of the triple environmental crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss: excessive extraction, production, manufacturing and consumption of material resources.
This excess is not evenly distributed in the world: as highlighted in the report, the EU consumes more than its fair share – levels that are almost double the estimated sustainable consumption levels.
Addressing material resource consumption by establishing an EU Material Resources Law will be critical to meet the fourfold objectives set out in the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) and stay within planetary boundaries. The EU will not achieve its climate change targets without making progress on resource consumption.
BatteReverse is a research and innovation project funded by Horizon Europe with a focus on reverse logistics, whereby goods are transferred from their final destination back to the point of origin in order to recover their value or reduce waste.
This project wants to develop a process for increasing the safety, efficiency and sustainability of Li-ion battery reverse logistics. Specifically, it is focusing on developing the technologies, processes and partnerships necessary to build a reverse logistics value chain, from end-of-first-life to decision making on their future use.
The BatteReverse Community brings together battery stakeholders, experts and enthusiasts to network and exchange ideas about battery circularity.
Bridging the gap between innovation and industry by fostering collaborative partnerships among designers, research institutions, and companies is the objective of this event which will focus on eco-design of secondary materials.
The 8th World Circular Economy Forum hits Brussels from 15 to 18 April 2024 to turn circular visions into actions. The world’s leading event for circular economy thinkers, doers and leaders will showcase the most impactful circular solutions from Europe and around the world. Online participation is open to everyone.
In a manifesto published in December 2023, Plastics Recyclers Europe argue the case for enhanced reycling of plastics in a loop which makes the best possible use of secondary raw materials.
The workshops on Nutrient recycling policy will be held by the European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform in Brussels and online on 12-14 March 2024.
Objectives:
To elaborate ambitious, feasible and consensus proposals for regulatory targets for phosphorus and nitrogen reuse-recycling from municipal wastewater and
To identify policy tools to support market pull for recycled nutrients which could achieve consensus across industry and users.
The Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy is a working group under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. NCE's mandate includes contributing to activities and exchanges of information that will promote the transition to acircular economy in the Nordic Region.
NCE also wishes to influence the EU and global actors, for example by helping to identify solutions that will reduce consumption of raw materials, waste, emissions and energy by recycling products, including for new purposes.
NCE carries out projects on different topics related to the circular economy.
