Developing Policies for a Smart and Inclusive Circular Transition in Europe
The transition towards a circular economy (CE) relies on a supporting policy framework. The EU is currently recognised as a global leader in climate action and has adopted a comprehensive policy package to reach the objectives set out in its Circular Economy Action Plan.
This paper examines current and planned CE policies, their key impact on industries – with a focus on established manufacturing industries – and where additional policy interventions are needed. It is recommended that the EU strengthens its policy framework in several areas, including the adoption of CE targets, product policy and law, standardisation, waste law, public procurement, and industrial policy. EU Member States can support the developments through complementary policies.
Launch
Author bio
Since 2003, Mattias Lindahl is a professor at Linköping University, specializing in EcoDesign, Product Service Systems (PSS), and Circular Economy and in October 2023, he began a guest professorship at Luleå University of Technology. He has led major research projects such as the Mistra REES program, a 180 MSEK initiative promoting the transition of Sweden’s manufacturing industry towards a circular economy. He has contributed to international ISO and IEC standards and chairs the SIS committee responsible for circular economy. He has also been a member of Sweden’s circular economy delegation and serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Cleaner Production.
Carl Dalhammar is associate professor at IIIEE, Lund University. In his research he has analysed numerous environmental laws and policies, including the Ecodesign Directive, Circular Economy policies, right-to-repair policies, planned obsolescence, EU energy efficiency laws, government procurement programs, and product destruction. Carl teaches environmental law and politics in several European and Swedish master and undergraduate programs. He is a member of the Research Council at the Swedish Competition Authority, and board member of the Swedish national innovation program Re:Source.
Editor bio
Anna Willman is a Climate Policy Expert at Fores and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from London School of Economics.
About ELF
The European Liberal Forum (ELF) is the official political foundation of the European Liberal Party, the ALDE Party. Together with 56 member organisations, we work all over Europe to bring new ideas into the political debate, to provide a platform for discussion, and to empower citizens to make their voices heard.
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About Tankesmedjan Fores
Fores – Forum for reforms, entrepreneurship and sustainability – is the green and liberal think tank based in Sweden. With one foot in academia and the other in the public debate, Fores works every day towards solutions and policies that strengthen the liberal democracy. For more information, visit Fores.se.
Disclaimer
Published by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with Tankesmedjan Fores. The publication received financial support from the European Parliament. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) alone. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.