Brussels, 10/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - Businesses, civil society and public administrations throughout Europe should cooperate in order to maximise social capital and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, according to the 16th European Forum on Eco-Innovation (Hannover, 8 April). The theme of the forum, which was organised jointly by the European Commission and Germany's Ministry for the Environment, was “Wasted potential! Towards circular economy in cities”. The forum brought together business leaders, senior public officials, representatives from municipalities, civil society, engineers and scientists.
Eighteen case studies from cities and businesses were presented at the forum and demonstrated successful implementation of innovative city planning projects based on the principle of circularity (Amsterdam), zero-waste projects, sustainable urban design (Hannover), and also demonstrated successful implementation of social enterprises as initiators of change in their city's policy.
“The transition towards a circular economy is the key to sustainable prosperity in that it enables economic growth to be pursued within the limits of the environment”, said European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potocnik. By circular economy, an economy should be understood as one “in which we promote re-use, repair and recycling, in which an industry's waste becomes the raw materials for another industry, in which materials are re-injected over and over again instead of being piled up in tips or burned”.
Füle encouraged public authorities, businesses and citizens to take action to contribute to a real change of system because “we must not look at waste management alone. If we want to close the loop and achieve a truly circular economy, it is also essential for us to examine our design, production and consumption systems”. German Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks believes the same. “We must now focus on waste prevention in the broadest sense and the further use and re-use of products, devices and equipment”, she said.
The European eco-innovation forum, which is held twice a year, is part of the EU's eco-innovation action plan. The EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) award ceremony took place on the sidelines of the forum (see EUROPE 11056). (AN)