Leading the transition: A circular economy action plan for Portugal was adopted by the Portuguese Council of Ministers in December 2017.

Natural resources are defined as all components of nature: biotic and abiotic resources, physical space (such as land), environmental media (water, soil and air), flow resources (such as geothermal, wind, tide and solar energy), and the diversity of all living organisms.

Natural resources are essential for life on our planet, and always will be. Many natural resources, however, are in limited supply. Conserving natural resources is therefore of vital importance, including for future generations.

The Federal Government embraces its responsibility in this regard. As early as 2002, it set a target in the National Sustainable Development Strategy of doubling Germany’s raw material productivity by 2020 relative to 1994. The German Resource Efficiency Programme (ProgRess) of 2012 was directed towards achieving this target.

“Towards a Model of Circular Economy for Italy - Overview and Strategic Framework” is a document that defines Italy’s strategic positioning on the issue in line with the commitments adopted under the Paris Agreement, UN Agenda 2030, G7 Communiqué and within EU.

The document calls for a "change of paradigm" for Italy's economy, for a new way to consume, produce and do business. There is a need for a new industrial policy aimed at sustainability and innovation capable of increasing the competitiveness of products and manufacturing.

Considering the importance of the document, the Italian government decided to collect the contributions of all institutions, firms, experts and citizens who deal with the issue to develop a document that is the result of a shared and participatory process.

The Government-wide programme for a Circular Economy is aimed at developing a circular economy in the Netherlands by 2050.

Its ambition is to realise, together with a variety of stakeholders, an (interim) objective of a 50% reduction in the use of primary raw materials (minerals, fossil and metals) by 2030.

It has as main priorities: Biomass and food, plastics, the manufacturing industry, construction sector and consumer goods.

Brussels Capital region Circular Economy strategy, adopted in 2016, sets a 10 year framework to move Brussels' economy towards a circular model.

The strategy is focused on three objectives: transform environmental goals into economic opportunities, anchor the Brussels economy, where possible, to local produce and to minimise transportation whilst optimising the use of available territory in order to create additional value for the people of Brussels and to contribute to the creation of employment. It is structured in 4 different axes (combining 111 actions):

• Transversal ( regulatory framework);
• sectorial (specific industries);
• territorial and
• governance (to bring together 3 ministerial department)

The Finnish Roadmap to achieve a Circular Economy goal is to create a shared mindset in Finnish society to promote the circular economy and determine the most effective means to do it.

The Roadmap focuses on 5 focus areas, topics that will initially be used in advancing the circular economy in Finland. Based on Finland’s traditional strengths, these topics include a sustainable food system, forest-based loops, technical loops, transport and logistics, and joint actions.