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:
food and beverage and health and beauty
textile and apparel
consumer electronics, and
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.
The SYMBA project (Securing Local Supply Chains via the Development of New Methods to Assess the Circularity and Symbiosis of the Bio-based Industrial Ecosystem) will help deliver bio-based solutions with reduced environmental impacts on soil, water and air quality.
The project aims to achieve this by creating an innovative method of industrial symbiosis which can be replicated across the EU, geared to the local/regional bio-based industrial ecosystem. This method will be used to help design zero-waste value chains.
Increasingly, plastic components are being used in vehicles rather than metal ones, as plastic is lighter. The automotive industry is gradually stepping up the percentage of recycled plastic to reduce its environmental impact.
AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is a non-profit research association active in the plastics industry. It has launched the SURFTOP Project to develop the use of recycled plastic in vehicle parts.
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.
The Dutch company Corbion grows microalgae in closed fermentation tanks where they transform sustainable sugars into algae in a few days. The algae are then used to produce omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fatty acids provide essential nutrients for humans and many animal diets.
As part of the Cooperative Partnership Erasmus+ IDEA (Improved Employability through Circular Economy Education for Adults) project, the partners have designed a comprehensive set of educational materials and platforms to assist educators with training unemployed adults (45+).
The ECO-FUTURE project was a 24-month transnational cooperation project on Teaching Circular ECOnomy to the FUTURE Generations.
It produced a series of educational tools in the field of the circular economy. The materials produced provide an upskilling pathway programme with which teachers can help 6-12 year old pupils explore the topic and values of the circular economy and sustainability.
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.
