Key take-away points from circular economy webinar

INTPA F2 organised a circular economy webinar on 15 January 2021. The main objective was to enhance the knowledge and understanding of opportunities brought about by a circular economy transition in terms of growth, jobs, and environmental objectives, to present the EU policy framework, and to exchange ideas on how best to promote the circular economy through international partnerships. Thibaut Portevin (INTPA F2) and Alexander Charalambous (SWITCH to Green Facility) shared with Capacity4dev the key take-away points from this online learning event.

The online event was divided into two parts. The first session discussed the WHY, HOW and WHAT of the circular economy, with deep dives into EU policy priorities and experience in partner countries. The second session delved into the main circular economy intervention areas and examples of cooperation activities. The webinar also provided information on relevant tools and further guidance.

Part 1: Key take-away points on circular economy policy and planning in external action

• The circular economy provides a solid pathway to sustainable development as a sustainable economic model contributing to responsible consumption and production and to other SDGs and targets;
• A transition to a more circular economy is urgently needed to achieve climate neutrality objectives, increase economic returns, employment opportunities and resilience of value chains, as well as address environmental pressures, including water stress and biodiversity loss;
• A circular economy mimics natural cycles by designing out waste and pollution, maintaining product, material and resource value for as long as possible, and regenerating natural systems;
• The CE is a pillar of the European Green Deal (EGD) and an increasingly important area of EU external action;
• The new EU CE Action Plan (CEAP)^[1] provides a strong policy steer to guide EU diplomacy and international cooperation, communicating a high EU ambition to lead efforts at global level;
• The EGD approach to global action (“setting a credible example, and following-up with diplomacy, trade policy, development support and other external policies”) applies particularly well to the CE, acknowledging EU leadership in this area and opportunities for the EU to set CE standards in global value chains through international partnerships and trade;
• The development of a sustainable product policy in priority value chains is one of the key measures of the CEAP, offering opportunities for sustainable and job-intensive economic activity in both Europe and partner countries;
• Country experiences confirm that several entry points exist to promote CE in national level processes, e.g. through green growth strategies, waste management policies, smart and sustainable cities, economic diversification and private sector development.

Part 2: Key take-away points on circular economy intervention areas and related cooperation support

• The CE transition can be supported through interventions on four main key areas: inspiring and learning (awareness and understanding of the CE potential), enabling (policy frameworks), financing (access to finance for CE investments), and implementing (uptake of CE business models and practices in key value chains, and in regions and cities);
• DG INTPA tools and further guidance can be accessed through Capacity4dev and the SWITCH to Green Facility website.

Credit: Photo © Shutterstock

[1]     COM(2020) 98 and SWD(2020) 100