Impact of circular economy as the EU’s ambitious policy

Urška Fric

doi:10.2478/rsc-2019-0010

Abstract

Abstract The article describes the role of legislative and legal framework which brought about a new approach to waste management through the concept of circular economy, and its drivers. We explicitly focus on the impact of ambitious EU environmental policy and its financial support from the European Commission (EC) which helped social actors recognize not only the ecological, but also the economic and social benefits of the circular economy. Over 50 actions under the “Circular Economy Action Plan” launched in 2015 have been delivered or are being implemented in this period in European Union (EU). Through overview of the EU’s ambitious policy, best practice of the circular economy in the world and status quo in circular economy at EU level we also show the circular economy is nowadays a crucial megatrend and there is still needed to increase up action at EU level, provide the competitive advantage it brings to EU economy and close the loop. Beside impact of ambitious EU environmental policy article focuses on the Cultural Political Economy (CPE) approach as a political economy approach with the purpose for explaining the role of legislative and legal framework as a mechanism for selection and retention of the paradigm of circular economy.

Highlights

After 1970 – that is in the last 40 years – countries adopted a broad spectrum of environmental legislation, which can be described today as the most exhaustive modern standards compendium in the world
As notes European Commission (EC) the circular economy is an irreversible, global trend – yet, much is still needed to scale up action at European Union (EU) level and globally, fully close the loop and provide the competitive advantage it brings to EU economy (European Commision – Press release 2019)
The work started at EU level on some issues needs to be accelerated if Europe wants to reap the full benefit of a transition to a circular economy still EC notes

Summary

Introduction

After 1970 – that is in the last 40 years – countries adopted a broad spectrum of environmental legislation, which can be described today as the most exhaustive modern standards compendium in the world. The document described proposed development of smart specialization while tackling the following main challenges (EUR-Lex 2017): (1) boosting the innovation and competitiveness potential of European regions, as a basis for a sustainable growth model; (2) increasing interregional cooperation, which is a key element in globalised economies; (3) strengthening the focus on less developed and industrial transition regions; (4) improving and building on joint work across EU policies and programs supporting innovation The challenges in this communication consider different aspects – environment, energy, sustainable development, and efficient resource usage – and can be integrated into the industrial policy of a certain country. We clarify the role of circular economy for EU economy through concepts, theory and best practice examples in the world

The Circular Economy

Status Quo

Findings

Conclusion