EU recovery fund is a chance to accelerate the circular economy

(EurActiv, 26 May 2020) The EU recovery fund can be used to unlock an estimated €1.8 trillion opportunity by 2030 by making better use of materials and reducing waste, write Patrick Schröder and David McGinty.

Patrick Schröder is senior research fellow at Chatham House, a leading UK think-tank. David McGinty is Global Director of the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), a platform for global leaders and their organisations to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

European countries have set out competing visions for the region’s COVID-19 recovery plans in the last week.

France and Germany first proposed a €500 billion recovery fund to help eurozone economies affected by the coronavirus, followed by a separate proposal from the so-called ‘frugal four’ – the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden.

While there are some significant differences between the plans, they both refer to the need for a green transition. This unprecedented economic stimulus provides the EU with the opportunity to go even further, and accelerate the shift to a circular economy.

External link

EurActiv, 26 May 2020: EU recovery fund is a chance to accelerate the circular economy