The New European Action Plan on Circular Economy

In March 2020, the European Commission unveiled its new action plan on circular economy. It includes more than 50 proposed actions, particularly in favor of product sustainability and waste reduction in key sectors: plastics, textiles, electronics, batteries, construction, and food. Job creation and training in circular economy are also among the key measures of this plan. Analysis.

The action plan is a key element of the European Green Deal, Europe's new sustainable growth program. Objective: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 to make Europe the first "climate-neutral" continent.

Circular Economy, a Competitiveness Lever

Europe is betting on circular economy as a driver of growth and jobs with the ambition of increasing GDP by 0.5% by 2030 through the creation of 700,000 new jobs. Among the proposed actions, the European Union intends to make durable products a standard.

To achieve this, the European Commission is particularly counting on the reusability and recyclability of products. These provisions aim to limit single uses and to prohibit the destruction of unsold or unused durable goods.

In the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, the Commission will launch, among other things, “circular economy initiatives for electronic goods to ensure products last longer and improve waste collection and treatment.”

Actors in the circular economy thus have an essential role to play in addressing current societal and environmental challenges.

Download the European action plan on circular economy: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/IP_20_420