This briefing looks into how circular economy and waste sector policies and measures can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It analyses how European countries include circular economy and waste actions in their reporting on climate change mitigation policies and measures and how the introduction of additional measures can help accelerate future reductions of GHG emissions.
The briefing finds that waste management and the circular economy have considerable potential for mitigating climate change. Therefore, countries would benefit from including policies and measures in these areas in their climate policy mix.
EU policymakers recently decided to introduce a direct ban on the destruction of textiles and footwear, with some exemptions for small, micro and medium-sized companies.
In this briefing, the EEA takes stock of what is currently known about the volumes and destruction of returned and unsold textiles in Europe. The growth of online shopping, flexible return practices, changed consumer preferences and fast-fashion business strategies in Europe have resulted in increased shares of returned and unsold textiles.
Over the past years, fast fashion and luxury brands have been reported as destroying returned or unsold clothing, shoes and other textiles. Textile product destruction is a very good example of a ‘take-make-waste’ approach.
The European Green Deal is a cornerstone of efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU. Many policy targets are dependent on action by local and regional authorities.
The current Commission's mandate is coming to an end, and so this is a good time to kick-start discussion on the "future" Green Deal and the role of local and regional authorities in implementing it.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre is therefore launching a stakeholder consultation for urban policy experts and policy makers, in order to get a better understanding of policy and target priorities for EU cities.
Changes in consumption behaviours and dominant lifestyles are increasingly recognised among the critical levers for the transition to a circular economy. At the same time, public engagement still needs improvement in some areas, and people's role in the process is largely overlooked.
Join us on 8 May (10:30-12:00 CEST)for an #EUCircularTalks event. Panellists will discuss key evidence about what works best to achieve circular engagement and advance the circular behaviours that make a difference in Europe. The event will be the final rendez-vous of the series of podcasts.
The BRILIAN project workshop "Seeds of Change in Rural Areas" will address several crucial policy-related topics, including developing new materials from agricultural feedstocks.
There will be presentations by representatives of the European Bioeconomy Bureau, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC), as well as a round table session on unlocking resources from agricultural produce and waste.
The European community PACCT for Sustainability (Product as a service to Accelerate Cooperation and Circular Transformation) will host a new webinar on 19 March 2024 (from 10:30 to 12:00 CET) to explore product-as-a-service governance and operations with experts.
Participants to the workshop will be able to interact with Michelin, Xarvio and Aston Business School, who will be sharing their experience operating product-as-a-service models.
Co-organised by the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and its strategic partners, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Investment Bank, this hybrid WCEF accelerator session will focus on how EU cities and regions are moving ahead with the circular transition.
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Communication, Networks, Content and Technology has published a call for proposals regarding the deployment of the Green Deal Data Space. The call is looking for solutions that use data and digital technologies to create value for the circular economy as well as biodiversity, zero pollution or climate change/adaptation.
An information webinar on the call will take place on 6 March at 10:00-12:15 CET.
The European Commission is hosting a webinar on 18 March showing how the EU Level(s) framework for sustainable buildings can help industry professionals navigate changes in the rules governing sustainable finance as regards construction and real estate.
Biorefine Cluster Europe (BCE) links up projects and people in the area of bio-based resource recovery, with a view to contributing to more sustainable and circular resource management.
It focuses on the biorefinery sector, i.e. chemicals, materials, energy and products from bio-based waste streams:
Bio-based (waste) streams as an input for the circular economy
Bioprocesses
Sustainable bio-energy production in its various shapes, and
Resource recovery: extracting minerals, chemicals, water and materials from biomass.
Its main objectives:
Strengthening interaction between projects
Fostering dissemination and stakeholder outreach
Enhancing research
Identifying gaps in knowledge.
BCE aims to build its community and promote knowledge exchange.
