EU Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potonik has further outlined plans for his wide ranging and comprehensive circular economy measures set to be announced this year.
Speaking at the opening session of EU Green Week 2014, Mr Potonik has said the package will include a resource efficiency target as well as higher recycling targets, but that waste management must be seen as just one part of a bigger process.
The resource efficiency target proposed will be linked to raw material consumption and gross domestic product (GDP), but it will not be a legally binding target, he said.
Mr Potonik also said that although this system is not perfect, that neither is GDP itself, adding that the data on raw material consumption and GDP will soon be available for all Member States.
He said: We need such a target set at an achievable but aspirational level, and we should not be scared of it.”
The Commissioner also suggested that with the best performing Member States achieving around 70% recycling rates and almost no landfill we need to get all of Europe up to the level of the best by 2030, and that is the objective we should set ourselves in the package.
Elsewhere, he said that the package of measures would devote special attention to sustainable buildings and sustainable food, while also looking at boosting green jobs and green businesses.
Mr Potonik said: Getting so many varied policy areas and so many stakeholders to move towards a transition that overturns old ways of thinking and lock-ins is a complex and difficult task. More than in any other area it is essential that there is clarity in the direction of travel. To provide that clarity we need a simple aspirational target for resource efficiency that provides a political commitment and economic predictability.
Green Week
Mr Potoniks comments came at the opening to Europes largest environment conference Green Week which is taking place this week in Brussels from June 3-6 and also includes a 40-stand exhibition.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has voiced its support for Green Week and its 2014 theme Saving Resources, Creating Jobs, with members of the Association s policy team set to attend seminars and discussions at the three-day event.
Related Links
ESA European advisor, Roy Hathaway, said: The future of our industry lies in turning all waste into resources by using a range of modern technologies.
By working with designers and manufacturers to ensure that products and their packaging can be more easily reused, dismantled and recycled, the waste and resource management sector could help support the development of the Circular Economy.
Register for free to comment