Circular Economy

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The transition to a Circular Economy is high on the EESC agenda as a solution to fight the climate crisis and protect our planet. It is a great opportunity for civil society as it can help to:

  • increase the competitiveness of European industry;
  • promote sustainable economic growth;
  • generate new jobs.

The 'take-make-waste' model of production and consumption that still dominates our economy today is not only culminating in wasted resources, but also undermining the fight against climate change. Unlike the linear economy, a Circular Economy is a regenerative and restorative design that focuses on economic value creation and retention, tackling global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution while yielding economic benefits.

The good news is that the circular transition is already happening on the ground. Stakeholders from civil society including businesses, trade unions, academia and knowledge communities, youth organisations as well as NGOs and other interest groups are creating and implementing many circular initiatives at local and regional level. Catalysing circular solutions and leadership from relevant stakeholders is Europe's best opportunity to accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy. 

As such, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a joint initiative of the EESC and the European Commission, is a platform established in 2017 to bring together the Circular Economy community in Europe. The stakeholder-driven platform supports Europe's transition towards a Circular Economy by fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge and exchanging best practices.

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  • Adopted on 14/02/2024 - Bureau decision date: 23/01/2023

    Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastics pollution

    Reference
    NAT/894-EESC-2023
    Referral
    COM(2023) 645 final 2023/0373 COD
    COM(2023) 645 final 2023/0373 COD
    Rapporteur
    András EDELÉNYI
    Employers - GR I
    Hungary
    Co-rapporteur
    Maria NIKOLOPOULOU
    Workers - GR II
    Spain
    Plenary session number
    585
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    Microplastics are persistent, very mobile, and hard to remove from nature. Microplastics are widespread in the world and in the human body, and a cause of growing concerns. Plastic pellets are found in water and soil, including agricultural lands, and harm ecosystems and biodiversity. Plastic pellets are the one of the largest sources of unintentional microplastic pollution.

    For the first time, the European Commission proposes measures to prevent microplastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets.

    EESC opinion: Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastics pollution
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  • Adopted on 13/12/2023 - Bureau decision date: 25/01/2023

    Main challenges faced by EU islands, and mountainous and sparsely populated areas

    Reference
    ECO/612-EESC-2023-2023-00848
    Rapporteur
    Ioannis VARDAKASTANIS
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Greece
    Plenary session number
    583
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    One of the main conclusions of the 8th Cohesion Report is that although cohesion and convergence among regions in the European Union has improved, there are still remaining gaps especially in less developed regions related with their territorial characteristics. EU islands, mountain areas and sparsely populated areas still face many challenges on their growth and income and disparities exist.

    In these regions, there are still a lot of gaps in terms of employment and investment, social exclusion is evident and gender disparities have not diminished.

    EESC opinion: Main challenges faced by EU islands, and mountainous and sparsely populated areas
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  • Adopted on 25/10/2023 - Bureau decision date: 13/06/2023

    Revised monitoring framework for the circular economy

    Reference
    NAT/912-EESC-2023
    Referral
    COM(2023) 306 final
    Rapporteur
    Cillian LOHAN
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Ireland
    Plenary session number
    582
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    EESC opinion: Revised monitoring framework for the circular economy
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  • Adopted on 13/07/2023 - Bureau decision date: 25/01/2023

    Sustainable water management and climate emergency: circular and other solutions for the EU agri-food system in a future "Blue Deal"

    Reference
    NAT/891-EESC-2023
    Rapporteur
    Josep PUXEU ROCAMORA
    Employers - GR I
    Spain
    Co-rapporteur
    John COMER
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Ireland
    Plenary session number
    580
    -
    EESC opinion: Sustainable water management and climate emergency: circular and other solutions for the EU agri-food system in a future "Blue Deal"
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  • Adopted on 14/06/2023 - Bureau decision date: 23/01/2023

    Implementation of EU macro-regional strategies

    Reference
    ECO/609-EESC-2023
    Referral
    COM(2022) 705 final
    Rapporteur
    Stefano PALMIERI
    Workers - GR II
    Italy
    Co-rapporteur
    Dimitris DIMITRIADIS
    Employers - GR I
    Greece
    Plenary session number
    579
    -

    Since 2016, as requested by the Council, every second year the Commission publishes a report on the implementation of the existing macro-regional strategies (MRS). This is the fourth report, covering the period from mid-2020 to mid-2022. It assesses the state of play and progress on implementing the MRS and examines ways forward especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 crisis. 

    EESC opinion: Implementation of EU macro-regional strategies
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  • Adopted on 14/06/2023 - Bureau decision date: 23/01/2023

    Harnessing talents in EU regions

    Reference
    ECO/610-EESC-2023
    Referral
    COM(2023) 32 final
    COM(2023) 32 final
    Rapporteur
    Tatjana BABRAUSKIENĖ
    Workers - GR II
    Lithuania
    Plenary session number
    579
    -

    The movement of skilled workers out of regions already suffering from lower economic development may further undermine the growth and development potential of these regions. Such a "brain drain" from vulnerable EU regions therefore may contribute to widening territorial disparities, going against the objective of territorial cohesion set out in Article 174 TFEU. Given the cross-border impact of such developments the Commission considers that action at EU level is necessary.

    EESC opinion: Harnessing talents in EU regions
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  • Adopted on 27/04/2023 - Bureau decision date: 25/10/2022

    Policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics

    Reference
    NAT/886-EESC-2022
    Referral
    COM(2022) 682 final
    Rapporteur
    András EDELÉNYI
    Employers - GR I
    Hungary
    Co-rapporteur
    Alessandro MOSTACCIO
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    578
    -
    EESC opinion: Policy framework for bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics
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  • Adopted on 27/04/2023 - Bureau decision date: 19/10/2021

    Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste

    Reference
    NAT/854-EESC-2022
    Referral
    COM(2022) 677 final 2022/0396 COD
    COM(2022) 677 final 2022/0396 COD
    Rapporteur
    István KOMORÓCZKI (Employers - GR I/Hungary), István KOMORÓCZKI (Employers - GR I/Hungary)
    Co-rapporteur
    Panagiotis GKOFAS
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Greece
    Plenary session number
    578
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    EESC opinion: Revision of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste
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  • Adopted on 22/03/2023 - Bureau decision date: 25/10/2022

    EU strategy on fertilisers

    Reference
    NAT/888-EESC-2022-01-01
    Referral
    COM(2022) 590 final
    COM(2022) 590 final
    Rapporteur
    Arnold PUECH d'ALISSAC
    Employers - GR I
    France
    Plenary session number
    577
    -
    EESC opinion: EU strategy on fertilisers
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  • Adopted on 22/02/2023 - Bureau decision date: 20/09/2022

    Review of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

    Reference
    NAT/877-EESC-2022
    Referral
    COM(2022) 541 final 2022/0345 COD
    COM(2022) 541 final 2022/0345 COD
    Rapporteur
    Stoyan TCHOUKANOV
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Bulgaria
    Plenary session number
    576
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    EESC opinion: Review of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
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