This report discusses the EU’s clean energy transition plans, highlighting how circular economy strategies and sustainable resource management can support strategic autonomy while being Paris-compatible. 

It aims to inform stakeholders about the EU’s plans to safeguard its clean energy transition ambitions. Specifically, the report highlights how the uptake of circular economy strategies can contribute to the strategic autonomy agenda (with particular regard to CRMs) while being compatible with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also reflects on the EU’s overall material footprint in the context of global equities as the Union transitions to a climate-neutral and circular economy.

This report demonstrates the value of a circular economy that is regenerative by design.

The health of our economy relies on the health of nature, but nature has been overexploited and undervalued – and is declining at an unprecedented rate. That needs to change.

This study focuses on Europe’s built environment and explores how a nature-positive circular economy in the sector can unlock a huge economic opportunity for the continent, increasing resilience, competitiveness and the vibrancy of its cities. 

Six circular economy strategies have been selected based on their potential to drive economic and nature-positive gains and realise wider environmental and social outcomes.

This report aims to shed light on the carbon footprint of the retail and wholesale sector in Europe and its value chains around the world. Besides providing insight into the status quo, it aims to set out a path towards a more sustainable future across four retail and wholesale subsectors:

1. food and beverage and health and beauty
2. textile and apparel
3. consumer electronics, and
4. home and do-it-yourself.

The study points out that there are four decarbonisation levers for retailers and wholesalers, including improved product circularity and improved packaging circularity.

The publisher hopes that this study will provide policymakers with actionable insights.

The Mediterranean is facing rising challenges related to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, overpopulation and water scarcity. These issues are exacerbated by heatwaves, droughts and coastal vulnerabilities. This means that there is a critical need for an immediate transition to a green, circular economy in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

This report looks at the state of play there, the challenges to be faced and the role of stakeholders. It is intended to help policymakers align decisions and strategies for sustainable economic development and to provide up-to-date information for funding agencies, businesses, researchers, academics and civil society organisations advocating for green and fair policies in the Mediterranean region.

Is it actually cheaper to get second life furniture?

The Office Furniture Remanufacturing Association launched the Second Life Furniture mark (label) in 2023, where the term "second life furniture" comprises furniture that is reused, refurbished and remanufactured.

Organisations using the mark are required to submit their calculations and observations, providing a database of 11 projects to date, which has been analysed to identify patterns of adoption. OFRA has now issued a report on their findings.

In practice:

• The minimum second life furniture percentage was 60%.
• All projects would have been able to achieve cost savings on a like-for-like basis.
• All projects are attractive; no compromise in aesthetics was reported or observed. 
  
   

Recommendations of the German Council for Sustainable Development to the German Federal Government regarding the transformation to a circular economy.

The recommendations include the following: 

• Adjusting objectives to strive for an absolute reduction in primary raw material consumption
• Establishing a policy mix of incentives, support measures and regulation to achieve a steering effect
• Anticipating processes of structural change and further developing social safeguarding instruments
• Setting out standards and norms and avoiding distortion of competition
• Seizing economic opportunities and supporting sound circular economy business models
• Mainstreaming recyclability throughout product lifecycles.

ISO 59004 belongs to the ISO 59000 family of standards which is designed to foster a shift towards a circular economy.

Focusing on Circular economy — Vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation, this standard advocates for a circular economy model which emphasises the sustainable management and renewal of natural resources.

It aims to help organisations contribute to the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development by facilitating the transition to circular use of resources. It sets out key terms and concepts, a vision for a circular economy, core principles and practical guidance for delivering on sustainability goals.

You can read a sample or purchase the full version on the ISO website.

See also: ISO 59010 and ISO 59020.

ISO 59010 covers Circular economy — Guidance on the transition of business models and value networks.

This standard provides guidance for organisations wishing to take their value creation models and networks from linear to circular. It focuses on business-oriented strategies to implement circular economy practices at both organisational and inter-organisational levels. It complements ISO 59004 by offering more detailed guidance on assessing current value creation models, mapping value chains and value networks, and developing strategies for circularity. ISO 59010 is designed to help organisations make this transition effectively.

You can read a sample or purchase the full version on the ISO website.

See also ISO 59020 and ISO 59004.

ISO 59020 covers Circular economy — Measuring and assessing circularity performance.

It provides a structured approach for organisations to measure and assess their circularity performance. It aims to standardise the process by which organisations collect and calculate data, using mandatory and optional circularity indicators.

This standard will:

• help organisations align with global sustainability goals
• enhance transparency and accountability in environmental reporting
• support strategic decision-making for sustainable resource management.

You can read a sample or purchase the full version on the ISO website.

Together with ISO 59004 and ISO 59010, these standards offer a complete toolkit for achieving a circular economy, from principles to measurement.

See ISO 59004 and ISO 59010

One advantage of land-based aquaculture is that emissions can theoretically be contained and reused. However, the techniques for doing so keep evolving. If the Nordic aquaculture industry is to grow in an environmentally sustainable manner, information is needed on the best available techniques.

The Nordic Council of Ministers therefore requested a report on the best available techniques for reducing and reusing emissions from land-based aquaculture. This report explores the state of play of Nordic aquaculture and takes stock of emerging and established techniques for reducing emissions and managing waste, with a focus on the circular economy. Improving waste management might improve the viability of land-based aquaculture, supporting the sustainable growth of this sector.