Brussels, 07/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - The action plan for the circular economy presented by the Commission on 2 December 2015 won the support of EU environment ministers in Brussels on Friday 4 March.
The ministers' first political debate on this matter allowed them to lay the groundwork and to set out their priorities, as competiveness ministers had done previously, on 1 March (see EUROPE 11502). Environment Council conclusions are expected to be adopted at the meeting in Luxembourg on 20 June.
There was general agreement on the need for this action plan. Ministers were pleased that it tackles all phases in the lifecycle and value chain of products and does not focus solely on waste. Keenly aware of the importance of investment in innovation, ministers welcomed the action proposed by the Commission to this end and the financial support planned.
Many highlighted the role to be played by green public procurement in the transition to a circular economy. There was also broad support for a secondary raw materials market.
Ministers also called for a mechanism to monitor the transition to a circular economy, with regular reports on national programmes to the Council of the EU. They equally would like to see the sharing of good practice and close cooperation among all member states.
Firm in her position that “Trash is treasure”, the Dutch minister chairing the debate, Sharon Dijksma, said she was “very happy with the wide support from ministers” on one of the priority issues of the Dutch Presidency of the Council.
“Greening of the economy is already happening. There is no alternative if we want to have a sustainable economy and to be able to compete internationally. The action plan will help. We must ensure that our legislation boosts the demand for secondary raw materials and promotes the bio-economy”, she said after the meeting.
She hailed the international agreement on raw materials signed on 3 March by France, Flanders, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, environmental companies and NGOs: the North Sea Resources Roundabout (NSRR) will improve the market for raw materials left over after the incineration of waste, such as aluminium, lead and recyclable plastic. Since each country has its own rules, these raw materials are difficult to trade internationally. “This 'green deal' sees the launch of an innovation partnership around the North Sea”, said Dijksma.
In the view of European Environment and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Karmenu Vella, European companies have everything to gain from the circular economy “which will save them €600 billion (8% of their total turnover), create 580,000 jobs and reduce their carbon footprint”. Financial aid can be expected from the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI), the structural funds and the Horizon 2020 programme, he indicated. More than €650 million will be devoted to innovative demonstration projects under the Horizon 2020 programme.
A large number of delegations suggested that improving the eco-design, durability, reparability and re-usability of products should be a matter of priority. Some ministers argued that promoting sustainable consumption and raising awareness of the circular economy among all stakeholders also had a role to play. Several delegations highlighted reducing waste, in particular food waste, and marine litter, and the need to phase out micro-plastics.
Discussions focused on the action plan. Proposals for the revision of the waste directives complement the action plan for the circular economy (see EUROPE 11444). The Dutch Presidency is keen for negotiations on this revised legislation to be opened quickly. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)