10/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – The way is now open for the adoption on 17 December of the Environment Council conclusions on the ‘Post-Covid-19 economic recovery of the circular and green EU’ guided by the Green Deal. Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) approved the draft text (see EUROPE 12613/20, 12611/8) on 9 December. It recognises the central role of the transition to a circular economy in stimulating competitiveness, innovation, employment, and welfare by promoting circular business models, purchasing practices, entrepreneurship, and research, making sustainable products the norm, and adding more value and functionality to products, buildings and goods. It also involves preventing resource depletion, improving waste management, and establishing an efficient single market for non-toxic products, high-quality secondary raw materials, and the use of digital data and technologies. (AN)