Circular Economy 2.0
Background
March 2020 the European Commission published the new ‘Circular Economy Action Plan’ to speed up the transition to a circular economy. Going more circular contributes to meeting the ambitions of the European Green Deal and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals set in the Paris Agreement. In addition, a circular economy can bring forth economic benefits, by contributing to growth and job creation and stimulating innovation, and in parallel provide environmental benefits.
The chemical industry: a key enabler of the circular economy
From the design phase of products to their end-of-life, the chemical industry can offer innovative solutions in every stage of the life-cycle of products. The solutions offered by the chemical industry enable a better use of materials (e.g. through recycling, re-use and extending their lifespan) and use of alternative feedstock (e.g. waste as feedstock, bio-based feedstock and capturing carbon for re-use as feedstock). This does not only benefit the chemical sector itself; it also enables downstream industries to become more circular.
Cefic’s position
As an industry Cefic and its members will adopt a leading role in accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable future and aim to adhere to the following principles for a circular economy:
- A sustainable business case: Environmental and social sustainability need to be integrated when developing circular, viable business solutions.
- The full life-cycle of products and processes is taken into consideration
- Increased cooperation among value chain partners
We call on policymakers to consider in their decision-making:
- A supportive, enabling and forward-looking policy framework, starting with an EU Industrial Strategy that enables industry to deliver on the EU Green Deal, and sufficient funding streams.
- A progressive environment for innovation and education.
- A uniform monitoring system to track progress.
- Global alignment to cater for today’s multilateral and global value chains.
Position paper and supporting documents
Cefic Supports Green Deal and Climate Neutrality
The Green Deal recognises that energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, are indispensable for Europe’s transition, as solution providers to multiple value chains. Climate neutrality by 2050 means going through a deep transformation within just one or two investment cycles. The EU chemical industry intends to grasp the opportunities arising from the transition to a climate…
Circular Economy 2.0 | Cefic position
In Cefic’s Mid-Century Vision, the European chemical industry sees itself at the centre of Europe’s circular economy. From the design phase of products to their end-of-life, the chemical industry can offer innovative solutions to the benefit of the sector itself and throughout the value chain, enabling downstream industries to become more circular. By transforming waste…
Circular economy action plan | Cefic answer to the Public consultation for Inception impact assessment regarding the upcoming initiative in the area of Consumer policy – strengthening the role of consumers in the green transition
Cefic welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the initiative undertaken by the European Commission about a new legislative proposal on strengthening the role of consumers in the green transition in line with Better regulation principles and criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, EU-added value).
Circular economy action plan | Cefic answer to the Public consultation for Inception impact assessment regarding the upcoming initiative in the area of environmental performance of products & businesses – substantiating claims
Cefic welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the initiative undertaken by the European Commission about a new regulatory initiative on substantiating green claims regarding Environmental performance of products & businesses in line with Better regulation principles and criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, EU-added value)