Science-policy
solutions for a
more sustainable Europe
A low-carbon and circular industry for Europe
Climate change is a complex challenge that requires urgent action. There is no single solution to our changing climate, but rather a multitude of solutions that need to be scaled up. Foremost among them are the transition to renewable energy, maximising energy efficiency across the board, and transforming the production and consumption of goods and food. And policy plays a key role in speeding up the uptake of these solutions to climate change.
The paper looks at the opportunities for the circular economy to reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with three of its most carbon-intensive sectors: the built environment, mobility, and food. The authors make recommendations for policies relevant to these economic activities and, more broadly, to the EU’s institutional setup and policy priorities within the 2030 time horizon and beyond.
Key policy recommendations
- To reflect the importance of the circular economy to climate action in EU climate
policies such as the “Fit for 55 package” scheduled for spring 2021;
- To reflect the importance of the circular economy to climate action in EU climate policies such as the “Fit for 55 package” scheduled for spring 2021;
- To mainstream a circular economy approach in the EU Industrial Strategy;
- To strengthen the European Semester process;
- To finance the transition to a circular economy through the EU budget and recovery fund; and
- To foster global cooperation on circular economy through instruments like trade policy.
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