Author (Corporate) | European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service |
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Series Title | Briefing |
Series Details | December 2014 |
Publication Date | December 2014 |
Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
In a circular economy, unlike in a linear economy based on a ‘take-make-consume-throw away’ pattern, the materials contained within products are reused, turning waste into a valuable resource. Although businesses have started to use this model on specific products in various sectors, it has not yet been implemented on a large scale. In its communication on a circular economy presented in July 2014, the European Commission proposes to double the rate of increase in resource productivity by 2030. To achieve this, the European Commission considers a broad range of measures related to design and innovation, financing for resource efficiency, and awareness of businesses and consumers. A transition towards a more circular economy could have a number of benefits: enhancing the security of supply for raw materials; stimulating GDP growth; strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in the EU; and helping to protect the environment. However, there are also a number of barriers and challenges: moving towards circularity is a major change at a time of economic crisis; key enablers for the transition are still missing; significant discrepancies currently exist between Member States; and such a transition is a major multi-level governance challenge. The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed the need for a shift towards resource efficiency and eco-innovation. Many Member States have been critical of the Commission proposal even though some have already started moving towards a circular economy. For their part, stakeholders have expressed diverging views Briefing written by Didier Bourguignon. |
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Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2014/545704/EPRS_BRI%282014%29545704_REV1_EN.pdf |
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Subject Categories | Environment |
Countries / Regions | Europe |