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.

ELF was founded in 2007 to strengthen the liberal and democrat movement in Europe. Our work is guided by liberal ideals and a belief in the principle of freedom. We stand for a future-oriented Europe that offers opportunities for every citizen. ELF is engaged on all political levels, from the local to the European.

We bring together a diverse network of national foundations, think tanks and other experts. At the same time, we are also close to, but independent from, the ALDE Party and other Liberal actors in Europe. In this role, our forum serves as a space for an open and informed exchange of views between a wide range of different actors.

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.