Report on the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan

Summary:

Report presented on 4 March 2019 by the European Commission on the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan adopted in December 2015.

Further information:

On 2 December 2015 the European Commission adopted a package of measures to give a new boost to jobs, growth and investment and to develop a carbon neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The 54 actions under the action plan have now been completed or are being implemented, even if work on some will continue beyond 2019.

The action plan promoted for the first time a systemic approach across entire value chains. With it, the Commission has mainstreamed circular principles into plastic production and consumption, water management, food systems and the management of specific waste streams. This was made possible by strong support and engagement of Member States, the European Parliament, the business community and citizens. It has also contributed to moving towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This report presents the main results of implementing the action plan. It also sketches out future challenges to shaping our economy and continuing to create a competitive advantage, paving the way towards a climate-neutral economy where pressure on natural and freshwater resources as well as ecosystems is minimised. A full state of play of the action plan implementation is presented in the accompanying Staff Working Document (SWD).

Official

EUR-Lex: SWD(2019)90: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying COM(2019)190 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2019:090:FIN

European Commission: Press Release, 04/03/2019: Closing the loop: Commission delivers on Circular Economy Action Plan http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-1480_en.htm

European Commission: Fact Sheet, 04/03/2019: Circular Economy Package Report [Q&A] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-19-1481_en.htm

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