Circular economy

General Report for 2023: EU activities published

The EU recently published its General Report for 2023, which looks at how it has responded to emerging and existing global challenges.

This is an annual publication that comprehensively documents the EU’s key initiatives and achievements over the past year.

Chapter 3, ‘Creating a climate-neutral and prosperous Europe’, examines various topics, including net-zero, biodiversity, sustainability and the circular economy.

The report notes the progress made towards a circular economy, which aims to make sustainable products the norm, reduce pressure on natural resources, cut waste and create sustainable growth and jobs.

Key initiatives

Key initiatives highlighted include the proposed new textiles legislation, which will make producers responsible for the entire life cycle of their products, and promote sustainable management of textile waste across the EU.

The report states that more than five million tonnes of clothing are discarded in the EU each year (over 11 kg per person), yet only 22% of this waste is collected separately for re-use or recycling (the rest is often incinerated or landfilled).

Other initiatives in the report include the proposed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, the politically agreed Waste Shipment Regulation and the finalised rules to help consumers make informed and greener choices when buying phones and tablets.

The report highlights the overall importance of the circular economy and the role it plays towards the EU’s sustainability, resilience and climate neutrality.

Many of the initiatives covered in the report will be negotiated and finalised in the coming years, contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for Europe.

SWITCH-2-CE: new circular initiatives in east and southern Africa

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, has announced the SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa (SWITCH-2-CE) programme.

The programme was announced as part of the EU’s Global Gateway, a worldwide strategy to invest in sustainable infrastructure projects.

The SWITCH-2-CE programme will support eastern and southern African countries in their transition from a linear to a circular economy, by creating an enabling environment for investment in circular business models and improving access to the necessary skills and finance.

The EU will contribute €40 million over five years, focusing on capacity building, policy support and finance, with a particular focus on packaging and plastic waste, and electronic and e-waste value chains.

The programme is launched in cooperation with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).