Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. The Circular Economy in the European Union and the Low-Carbon Economy
3.1. The Circular Economy Concept
“… is based on business models which replace the ‘end-of-life’ concept with reducing, alternatively reusing, recycling and recovering materials in production/distribution and consumption processes, … with the aim to accomplish sustainable development, … to the benefit of current and future generations”(Kirchherr et al., 2017: 224–5) [22].
3.2. Launching the Circular Economy in the EU
- It establishes a waste management hierarchy. It prioritizes prevention. It establishes preparation for reuse, recycling and recovery. Finally, it establishes disposal.
- It introduces the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility. This means that producers are responsible for their products, even after their useful life.
- It sets targets for recycling and waste recovery. Member States must achieve certain recycling rates for certain types of waste.
- It prohibits the elimination of waste in landfills (in a phased approach) and encourages the search for sustainable alternatives to waste disposal.
- It simplifies and harmonizes waste management legislation in the EU.
3.3. Shifting the Focus to the Promotion of the Circular Economy in the EU
3.4. Consolidating the Circular Economy in the EU: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
- Directive (EU) 2018/850: amends Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste [41]. Its main objective is to reduce the amount of unused waste and to introduce more sustainable waste management practices. Included are stricter restrictions and conditions to reduce waste going to landfills and the promotion of more sustainable options such as energy recovery.
- Directive (UE) 2018/851: amends Directive 2008/98/EC on waste [42]. It is based on the need to improve waste management with the aim (among others) of promoting the circular economy, increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and reducing dependence on imported resources. These are necessary elements for the transition to a low-carbon economy. It introduces changes in waste treatment to promote recycling and reduce the reliance on landfills. It also establishes stricter rules for compliance, monitoring and reporting.
- Directive (EU) 2018/852: amends Directive 1994/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste [43]. It sets more ambitious targets for packaging recycling and reinforces the responsibility of producers in the management of packaging and packaging waste. Separate targets are set for ferrous metals and aluminum to increase aluminum recycling, thereby saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions.
3.5. Recent Steps Towards the Circular Economy
- Circular Economy Action Plan [50]. In February 2021, the European Parliament voted in favor of this Action Plan, highlighting the need to establish further measures to progress towards a clean, sustainable and circular economy by 2050. These additional measures include the implementation of new recycling laws, with more stringent measures and the definition of binding targets toward the reduction in the ecological footprint of material use to be achieved by 2030. The following three points of the plan should be highlighted:
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- Carbon-neutral economy: this highlights the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint.
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- Sustainability and toxic substances reduction: this highlights the importance of minimizing the negative impact of the use of chemicals and hazardous substances in the supply chain.
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- Binding targets for 2030: this shows the EU’s commitment to short-term action and accountability to achieve a circular economy.
- Package of measures. In March 2022, the European Commission launched the first package of measures to promote the development of the circular economy. The following main aspects include:
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- Sustainable products: measures to promote sustainable production and consumption. These include the following:
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- Measures focusing on eco-design, such as the introduction of a digital passport.
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- Measures to promote the repair of goods.
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- Measures to promote the circularity of production processes. The industrial emissions Directive should be updated to achieve the goal of zero emissions by 2050, especially those that promote circularity in production.
- Consumer empowerment: consumers are intended to be better informed and empowered to make sustainable product choices. In September 2023, an agreement was reached between the Council and the European Parliament on Directive (EU) 2024/825 on consumer empowerment for the green transition [51].
- The following actions in key sectors with high potential for circularity include:
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- Electronics and ICT. The adoption of Directive (EU) 2022/2380 on the common charger, in December 2022, is worth mentioning [52].
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- Cells and batteries and their waste. Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and their waste promotes the internal market for batteries and accumulators [53].
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- Packaging. Measures are being developed to make packaging economically viable for recycling by 2030.
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- Plastics. The EU has been addressing the issue of biodegradable plastics and microplastics.
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- Textiles. The reduction in the environmental footprint of textiles is being promoted. The mandatory separate collection of textiles in households by 2025 is highlighted.
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- Construction and buildings. Energy efficiency and waste management in the construction of buildings are encouraged.
- Strengthening waste reduction: the EU is working towards achieving the objectives of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) [38] and its amending Directive (EU) 2018/851 [42]. It is also working to reduce toxic substances, the use of at least 25% of raw materials in internal recycling and to establish rules to improve internal and external trade in waste.
4. Adaptation of European Union Countries to Circular Economy Regulations: Transposition of European Regulations
4.1. Transposition of European Regulations in EU Countries
4.2. Indicators of Circular Economy Adoption in the EU: Material Circulation Rate
4.3. Circular Economy Action Plan 2020 Indicators in the EU
5. The Circular Economy in Spain and the Low-Carbon Economy
5.1. Evolution of the Legislation on the Circular Economy: First Steps
5.2. Spanish Strategy for Circular Economy and the Circular Economy Action Plan 2021–2023 and Links with the Low-Carbon Economy
5.3. Other Key Documents for a Circular Economy in Spain and Decarbonization
5.4. The Circular Economy in the Autonomous Communities
Autonomous Communities | Instrument | Year | Name |
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Andalusia | Strategy | 2018 | Andalusian Strategy for Circular Bioeconomy-Estrategia Andaluza de Bioeconomía Circular |
Andalusia | Law | 2023 | Circular Economy Law-Ley de Economía Circular |
Aragon | Strategy | 2020 | Aragón Circular Strategy-Estrategia Aragón Circular |
Asturias | Waste Plan | 2017 | Strategic Waste Plan of the Principality of Asturias 2017– 2024-Plan Estratégico de Residuos del Principado de Asturias 2017–2024 |
Balearic Islands | Waste Law | 2019 | Balearic Islands Waste and Contaminated Soil Law-Ley de residuos y suelos contaminados de las Illes Balears |
Canary Islands | Strategy | 2020 | Canary Islands Circular Economy Strategy 2021–2030-Estrategia Canaria de Economía Circular 2021–2030 |
Canary Islands | Law | In process | Canary Islands Circular Economy Law-Ley de Economía Circular de Canarias |
Cantabria | Roadmap | 2020 | Cantabria Roadmap 2030-Hoja de Ruta Cantabria 2030 |
Castile-La Mancha | Strategy | 2021 | Circular Economy Strategy of Castile La Mancha 2023-Estrategia de Economía Circular de Castilla La Mancha 2023 |
Castile-La Mancha | Law | 2019 | Castile-La Mancha Circular Economy Law-Ley de Economía Circular de Castilla-La Mancha |
Castile and Leon | Strategy | 2021 | Castile and León Circular Economy Strategy 2021–2030-Estrategia de Economía Circular Castilla-León 2021–2030 |
Catalonia | Strategy | 2021 | Catalonia Bioeconomy Strategy 2023-Estrategia de Bioeconomía de Cataluña 2023 |
Catalonia | Strategy | 2015 | Catalan eco-design strategy for a circular and innovative economy- Estrategia Catalana de ecodiseño para una economía circular e innovadora |
Catalonia | Strategy | 2015 | Catalan Strategy to Promote the Green Economy and the Circular Economy-Estrategia Catalana para promover la economía verde y la economía circular |
Extremadura | Strategy | 2021 | Green Economy and Circular Economy Strategy- Estrategia de Economía Verde y Economía Circular |
Galicia | Strategy | 2019 | Galician Circular Economy Strategy 2019–2030-Estrategia Gallega de Economía Circular 2019–2030 |
La Rioja | Strategy | 2020 | La Rioja Circular Economy Strategy 2030-Estrategia de Economía Circular de La Rioja 2030 |
Madrid | Law | 2023 | Community of Madrid Circular Economy Law Ley de Economía Circular de la Comunidad de Madrid |
Murcia | Strategy | 2017 | Circular Economy Strategy of the Region of Murcia 2017–2030-Circular de la Región de Murcia 2017–2030 |
Navarra | Roadmap | 2019 | Agenda for the Development of the Circular Economy in Navarra 2030-Estrategia de Economía Agenda para el desarrollo de la Economía Circular en Navarra 2030 |
Basque Country | Strategy | 2019 | Circular Economy Strategy 2030-Estrategia de Economía Circular 2030 |
Valencia | Waste Plan | 2019 | Integral Waste Plan of the Valencia Region-Plan Integral de Residuos de la Comunitat Valenciana |
5.5. Key Data on the Circular Economy in Spain
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
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Actions Related to the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy | From |
---|---|
PRODUCTION | |
Develop a plan for product design, including the efficient use of materials | 2015 |
Improve environmental auditing systems | 2017 |
CONSUMPTION | |
Analyze the use of environmental footprints | 2016 |
WASTE MANAGEMENT | |
Promote waste-to-energy conversion | 2016 |
SECTORAL MEASURES | |
Improve date labeling on food products | 2017 |
STRATEGIC RAW MATERIALS | |
Develop recycling standards for electronic equipment, batteries and similar products | 2016 |
Improve the knowledge on the recycling of strategic materials | 2017 |
BIOMASS AND BIOMATERIALS | |
Improve diffusion and innovation of biomass cascade use | 2018 |
Investigate the sustainability of bioenergy | 2016 |
Analyze how the bioeconomy strategy contributes to the circular economy | 2016 |
Directives: | 2018/849 (Batteries, Electronic Waste) | 2018/850 (Landfill Waste) | 2018/851 (Waste) | 2018/852 (Packaging) | 2019/771 (Sale and Purchase of Goods) | 2019/883 (Ship Disp) | 2019/904 (Plastics) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Belgium | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Bulgaria | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Croatia | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Cyprus | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Czech Republic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Denmark | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Estonia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Finland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
France | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Germany | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Greece | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Hungary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ireland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Italy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Latvia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Lithuania | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Luxembourg | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Malta | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Netherlands | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Poland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
Portugal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Romania | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Slovakia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Slovenia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Spain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Sweden | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Group | Measure | Indicator | Definition |
---|---|---|---|
Production and consumption | Material consumption | Material footp. (tons. pc) Resource product. (2000 = 100) Green public procurement (not available yet) | Raw material consumption Materials directly used by an economy Public procurement procedures above the EU thresholds |
Waste generation | Waste generation (kg pc) Waste excluding major mineral wastes (kg/M€) Municipal waste (kg/pc) Food waste (kg/pc) Packaging waste (kg/pc) Plastic pack. waste (kg/pc) | Waste generated Waste generated related to production Waste collected by municipal authorities Food waste generated Packaging waste Plastic packaging waste | |
Waste management | Overall recycling rates (RRs) | RR of municipal waste (%) RR of all waste (%) | Recycled municipal waste/total municipal waste generated Recycled waste/total waste generated |
RRs for specific waste streams | RR of overall packaging (%) RR of plastic packaging (%) RR of waste of electrical equipment (WEE) separately collected (%) | Recycled packaging waste/all generated packaging waste Recycled plastic packaging waste/all generated plastic packaging waste WEE that enters the recycling for the reuse facility by the weight of all separately collected WEE | |
Secondary raw materials | Contribution of recycled materials to raw materials demand | Circular material use rate (%) End-of-life recycling input rates, aluminum (%) | Material recycled and fed back to economy/overall material use The % input into the production system coming from recycling |
Trade in recyclable raw materials | Imports from non-EU countries (kt) Exports to non-EU countries (kt) Intra-EU trade (kt) | Selected waste imported from third countries Selected waste exported to third countries Selected waste imported by EU Member States from another Member State | |
Competitiveness and innovations | Private investment, jobs and GVA related to circular economy sectors | Private investments (% GDP at current prices) Persons employed (% total employment) GVA (% GDP at current prices) | Gross investment in tangible goods in the recycling sector and reuse (RSR) Persons employed in RSR Value added at factor costs in RSR |
Innovation | Patents related to waste manag. and recycling (number) | Patents related to recycling and secondary raw materials | |
Global Sustainability and resilience | Global sustainability from circular economy | Consumption footprint (index 2010 = 100) GHG emissions from production activities (kg/pc) | Environmental impacts estimate GHG of all production activities in EU |
Resilience from circular economy | Material import depen. (%) EU self-sufficiency for raw materials, aluminum (%) | Imports/direct material inputs Independency from the rest of the world for aluminum |
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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Pablo-Romero, M.d.P.; Sánchez-Braza, A.; Torreblanca, C. Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition. Energies 2024, 17, 5255. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215255
Pablo-Romero MdP, Sánchez-Braza A, Torreblanca C. Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition. Energies. 2024; 17(21):5255. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215255
Chicago/Turabian StylePablo-Romero, Maria del P., Antonio Sánchez-Braza, and Cristóbal Torreblanca. 2024. "Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition" Energies 17, no. 21: 5255. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215255
APA StylePablo-Romero, M. d. P., Sánchez-Braza, A., & Torreblanca, C. (2024). Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition. Energies, 17(21), 5255. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215255