Covenant 2022 Partners News
EIP Raw Materials – Monitoring
On 26 March 2014 the Sherpa Group approved the Monitoring and Evaluation Scheme for the EIP on Raw Materials. To follow up the progress made by the EIP’s Raw Material Commitments, the Monitoring and Evaluation Scheme foresees the publication of an ‘Annual Monitoring Report’. The Report will be based on an online mandatory electronic survey that needs to be filled in by the Raw Materials Commitments’ leaders. The Report will bring together in a synoptic manner, information regarding the inputs of the commitment (i.e. human capital and mobilisation of financial resources) and concrete outputs.
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High Level Conference of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials
We would like you to save the date of the High Level Conference of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials, which will be held on 13 January, 2015 in Brussels. It will be followed by a Brokerage event on the Raw Materials relevant topics of Horizon 2020, on 14 January 2015. Several thematic sessions will be held during the first day and a poster session will be organised to present ongoing commitments. The following day, the brokerage event will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to meet potential partners for future projects and obtain information on funding possibilities in the scope of Horizon 2020.
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EIP Scoreboard
The Commission has asked EPE to join the Ad-Hoc Working Group (AHWG) that will be actively contributing to the development of the Raw Materials Scoreboard. The Scoreboard will be based on 25-30 generally accepted statistical indicators. Its purpose is to follow up on the EIP's general objectives, to keep an overview on the competitiveness of the raw materials sector and to increase the visibility of the challenges related to raw materials.
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Covenant2022.eu Website
The RMC website is in place. Visit www.covenant2022.eu to know more about Covenant2022, who is involved, how it relates with the EIP Raw Materials, how it is linked with a Collaborative Economy agenda and more importantly, how to join.
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Covenant2022 in the Mediterranean Region
The RMC Covenant2022 has been presented on Friday 28th November in Barcelona at the Global Eco Forum which aims to gather opinion leaders and change makers of the Mediterranean to promote dialogue, innovation and collaboration towards the sustainability of the region. This year edition focused on global issues such as green economy, job creations and natural resources management. The Eco Forum was organized by eco-union, one of the co-signatories of the RMC Covenant 2022, with the support of ASCAME, the association of Mediterranean chamber of Business and industry.
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EU Policy News
Economic governance package - setting the course for 2015
On 28 November the Commission revealed its 2015 Annual Growth Survey (AGS) which outlines the main features of its new jobs and growth agenda for 2015. The AGS launches the annual cycle of economic governance (European Semester), sets out general economic priorities for the EU and provides Member States with policy guidance for the following year. In the survey, the Commission recommends pursuing an economic and social policy based on three main pillars: (1) a boost to investment, (2) a renewed commitment to structural reforms, and (3) the pursuit of fiscal responsibility.
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Towards a Circular Economy (Communication): EP ENVI Committee Vote on Draft Report Provisionally Scheduled For September 2015
The European Parliament's Environment Committee is provisionally scheduled to vote on the draft Report on the Commission's Communication on a circular economy on 22 September 2015. The Rapporteur MEP Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP, Finland), is expected to draft a Report over the coming months. The deadline for the Environment Committee MEPs to table amendments to the Report is 28 April 2015.
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Recommendations on the framework conditions for the extraction of non-energy raw materials in the European Union
A report of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Exchange of best practices on minerals policy and legal framework, information framework, land-use planning and permitting (AHWG) has been published. The report is structured around the following chapters: 1. Policy and legal framework, 2. Information framework, 3. Land-use planning and 4. Permitting and authorization.
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New INTERREG IVC policy report on: recommendations for boosting eco-innovation
The importance of eco-innovation is clearly being recognised in the EU and worldwide. Eco-innovation is not limited to specific industries or sector of the economy. It can be introduced into manufacturing, services, organisations, management styles, urban and rural planning and design, agriculture and many other areas. It can therefore be instrumental in building healthy, competitive, and sustainable regional economies.
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Use of plastic bags: EU Council agreement on phasing down
The Permanent Representatives Committee of the EU Council confirmed an agreement with the European Parliament on new EU-wide rules for a reduction in the consumption of plastic bags. The agreement was reached in an informal trilogue on 17 November. The text will be examined by the European Parliament's Environment Committee. After approval by the Committee, the Council should adopt a political agreement at the Environment Council meeting on 17 December.
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Commission takes Spain to Court over waste water treatment
In the EU, Member States need adequate collection and treatment systems for urban waste water, as untreated water poses risks to human health, inland waters and the marine environment. Spain was first warned in 2003 about this particular case, which concerns areas with a population of more than 10 000. Although some problems have since been solved, the slow rate of progress has now led the Commission, on the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
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Resource productivity growth slows in 2013 [ENDS Europe Daily – private subscription, not to redistribute]
The EU’s resource productivity continued to improve in 2013 but at a slower rate than in 2012, figures compiled by member states and EU statistical agency Eurostat indicate.
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Water sector backs measures to boost reuse [ENDS Europe Daily – private subscription, not to redistribute]
Water sector groups have backed EU action to encourage water reuse. Industry association EurEau and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) say non-regulatory measures including guidance on implementing existing EU law would be effective.
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Slow uptake for end of waste metal rules [ENDS Europe Daily – private subscription, not to redistribute]
End of waste (EoW) rules for aluminium, iron and steel scrap have had no negative effects on the market or on the environment, according to the first review of the scheme.
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Germany mulls phosphorus recovery law [ENDS Europe Daily – private subscription, not to redistribute]
The German government is mulling legislation to mandate the recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge.
The government is working on a modified draft for an ordinance on sewage sludge and phosphorus recovery. This aims to ensure that the phosphate is separated out first when sewage sludge is co-incinerated.
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Other News
Study examines financing barriers facing circular economy business models
Companies with circular economy business models currently struggle to raise investment because of a lack of information about financial risk and because investors are generally unfamiliar with the concept of the circular economy, according to research scheduled to be published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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The Circular Economy of Recycled Paper
The Roermond Papier plant in the southeast of the Netherlands makes brown packing paper from recycled and alternative fibers. It has also altered its operations to reduce its environmental footprint, turning waste into fuel for another industry.
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Effective business in a circular economy
Published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the first edition of the book is now available to purchase. Featuring some of the leading thinkers and practitioners in the field including Walter Stahel, Michael Braungart and Amory Lovins, the volume offers a comprehensive overview of the model, business case studies, the performance economy, history and development and the entrepreneurial opportunities of these fluid times.
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Engineering the circular economy
A new series focusing on engineering the circular economy has been released. The series will be looking at various aspects of this revolution in the making, both from a theoretical and a practical point of view, by examining the thinking behind innovative systemic approaches and real-life applications.
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Waste sector sees opportunities in higher European waste ambitions
The European Union is charting a course to the circular economy. Last July the Commission proposed a set of more ambitious waste targets, the key target being 70% recycling of municipal waste and 80% recycling of packaging waste by 2030. From 2025 landfilling of recyclable waste will be prohibited. The waste sector expects to profit from these ambitious targets.
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Commissioner Vella receives the Green 10 directors
The Green 10, the alliance of ten of the leading environmental organisations in the EU, representing over 20 million Europeans, look forward to working constructively with the new European Commission to make EU environmental policies a central part of the Commission’s solution to Europe’s problems. During the first year the European Commission should focus on certain priorities indicated on the Green 10 briefing (on the read more link below).
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Environment laws on business lobby hit list
EU legislation to ensure gender equality on company boards, to extend maternity leave, and to reduce air pollution and landfill should be killed off, a leading business lobby organisation has told the European Commission. Business Europe is also pushing for the EU’s July 2014 Circular Economy package of waste targets to be withdrawn and re-tabled “as an economic piece of legislation rather than from a purely environmental perspective”.
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Circular Ecology Training Hub
The new Circular Ecology Training Hub provides with unlimited online training courses from Circular Ecology for a period of 12 months and exclusive access to the video recordings of all courses, including all these courses: December: Carbon footprint training course, March 2015: Calculating Organisational Carbon Footprints, June 2015: Calculating Product Carbon Footprints.
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ACR+ position paper on the Circular Economy Package
In the current climate of uncertainty regarding the future of the EC Circular Economy Package, ACR+ board of directors reaffirms its position and conviction that circular economy strategies are the way towards resource efficiency and wrote an open letter (at the read more link below) to President Juncker to save the Circular Economy Package.
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Fostering education, skills and training for sustainable minerals raw materials management
The increasing importance of eco-efficiency and sustainability in mineral production presents challenges to professionals as well as non-experts. This subject has been tackled by developing course syllabi and blueprints for a set of training courses, as well as a draft for a full study programme.
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Towards sustainable mineral production - the role of industry and civil society
The second COBALT North-Sea Regional Dialogue “Towards sustainable mineral production - The role of industry and civil society" was held on 8 October 2014 in Copenhagen. With the objective of fostering debate, networking and exchange on sustainable mineral production in the North Sea region, the Dialogue was composed of three sessions: keynote introductions from industry, civil society and policymaking; relevant best practice examples; and exchange on future pathways for stakeholder collaboration. A policy brief, which summarizes key elements and insights from the day’s discussions, and provides certain policy relevant recommendations, is now available for download.
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How to Become a Green SME in a Circular Economy
In order to learn more about the European Environmental Regulation for SMEs, two e-learning videos were developed, which can be very useful for current or future entrepreneurial activities in the green environment. The videos have been developed on the request of and were financed by the European Commission, DG Environment.
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EU Funding News
Raw materials for defence technologies
Deadline: 18/12/2014. The study needs to support the EDA in assessing the criticality of raw materials for defence technologies. The sustained availability of many raw materials is increasingly coming under pressure. Europe's high dependence on imports of these materials means that key high-tech defence applications are facing bottlenecks — now and in the future — in their supply chain and thereby raising concern.
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Framework Contract on Economic Analysis of Environmental and Resource Efficiency Policies
Deadline: 15/12/2014. The broad objective of the framework contract will be to support economic analysis of environmental policies. The contract will cover issues that arise but that cannot be foreseen now in the areas of (1) support in the context of economic analysis; (2) support for specific impact assessments and evaluations; (3) support in the context of resource efficiency policy developments.
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H2020 Innovative, Sustainable and Inclusive Bioeconomy
Deadline: 03/02/2015. Activities under this Call aim at making the best of our biological resources in a sustainable way. The objective is to contribute to securing sufficient supplies of safe, healthy and high quality food and other bio-based products, by developing productive, sustainable and resource-efficient primary production systems, fostering related ecosystem services and the recovery of biological diversity, alongside competitive and low carbon supply chains.
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Innovation in Waste Prevention Fund
Deadline: 01/01/2016. Funded by Defra as part of their Waste Prevention Programme for England, the scheme aims to generate more action to prevent waste. It specifically supports communities to take forward innovative waste prevention, re-use and repair activities in their local areas, working in partnership with local businesses, councils, charities and voluntary groups. The scheme can be used to help introduce a new business idea or to increase local re-use rates, resulting in potential new jobs and a boost to voluntary opportunities.
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Company Trial Call: Energy and Materials: Wastage avoided = Increase in profitability
Deadline: 01/05/2015. This Call is open to companies from every sector, with the exception of energy providers and waste management companies. Companies wishing to apply must operate facilities that employ between 20 and 500 employees. They will get a free assessment of their energy, waste, and raw material foot-print, for one of their sites. Two experts will visit the site, in order to detect opportunities for waste, energy and raw material use optimization. Through the optimisation of the resource use on the site, these experts will help to set-up more profitable processes on this site. This support will last for 1 year.
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Call for Projects: Recycling and Valorisation of Waste
Deadline: 16/01/2015. As part of the French Future Investment Programme ('programme d’Investissements d’Avenir'), the French state plans to encourage the development of a Circular Economy by focusing on three complementary areas: waste management, the rehabilitation of polluted soil and sites, and eco-design. This Call for Expressions of Interest covers the management, recycling and recovery of waste. It follows on from the 2011 Future Investment Programme CEI, which supported a dozen projects. This Call will fund technological innovations and innovative industrial solutions that should lead to an increase in the rates of reuse, recycling and recovery (including energy recovery) of waste.
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Call for Projects: Zero Waste - Zero Rubbish Regions
Deadline: 05/12/2014. In general terms, selected "Zero Waste Zero Rubbish" Regions will commit themselves to adopting and implementing an integrated waste prevention and waste management policy, as part of a dynamic circular economy. In this context, achieving "Zero Waste Zero Rubbish" in the particular Region in question is the end target: not wasting resources, minimizing the generation of waste, re-using products locally, making the best use of waste, whilst respecting the waste treatment hierarchy - for unavoidable waste - recycling everything that is recyclable, minimizing waste disposal, and setting-up 'Circular Economy' processes.
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H2020 Call for proposals for FET Open – novel ideas for radically new technologies – Coordination and Support Actions
Deadline: 29/09/2015. The “Excellent Science” priority aims to reinforce and extend the excellence of the Union's science base and to consolidate the ERA in order to make the Union's research and innovation system more competitive on a global scale. It consists of four specific objectives, and this call for proposal is focused on: "Future and emerging technologies (FET)" supports collaborative research in order to extend Europe's capacity for advanced and paradigm-changing innovation. It shall foster scientific collaboration across disciplines on radically new, high-risk ideas and accelerate development of the most promising emerging areas of science and technology as well as the Union-wide structuring of the corresponding scientific communities.
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Events
'Realising the opportunities of a Circular Economy' Conference
London, 3-5/03/2015. “Resource” is a three day congress with an exhibition that brings together exponents of the circular economy. Businesses large and small attend Resource to make connections, share learning and explore the opportunities to be circular. The show hosts the very best advice and thought leadership through a two conference programme, 24 workshops, networking and stand spaces for interaction with the companies who can help bring ideas to reality.
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European Parliament ENVI Committee Meeting
Brussels, 24/11/2014. The ENVI Committee meeting of 24 November voted on the novel food proposal and on an agreement with Council on reducing use of plastic bags.
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Draft Agenda: Next European Parliament ENVI Committee
Brussels, 3-4/12/2014. The draft agenda for next meeting of the ENVI Committee of 3-4 December includes discussions on: EU Annual Growth Survey 2015, a market stability reserve for the EU ETS, the fuel quality directive, limitations of certain pollutants from medium combustion plants, a vote on emissions from maritime transport, and an exchange of views with experts on chemicals.
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Council Working Party on the Environment
Brussels, 27/12/2014. The draft agenda of the meeting on 27 November included the following items: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives 2008/98/EC on waste, 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators.
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Contributing to Global Biodiversity: Europe Overseas
Brussels, 27/11/2014. This seminar provided an overview about the EU support to biodiversity in its overseas territories, starting with the genesis of the voluntary scheme leading to the BEST Initiative and describing some achievements already made under the BEST Preparatory Action (2011-2013).
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Global Partnership and Means of Implementation for the Post 2015 Framework – Stakeholder discussion”
Brussels, 28/11/2014. “The coming months will see intensified debates on the Global Partnership and the Means of Implementation for the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. The European Commission would welcome a continuation of its dialogue with civil society and local authorities as part of its ongoing policy development on the Global Partnership.”
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R3WATER workshop on potential application fields for innovative wastewater treatment technologies
Brussels, 01/12/2014. The workshop will focus on reuse of water, resource recovery and resource efficiency in urban wastewater treatment and discuss potential application fields for innovative wastewater treatment technologies.
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Stakeholders Meeting on the Results of the Public Consultation on Policy Options to Optimise Water Reuse in the EU
Brussels, 04/12/2014. Following the conclusion of the public consultation on a range of possible EU measures that would foster the re-use of treated wastewater in the EU, the Commission is organising a stakeholders meeting in Brussels at which the results of the public consultation and preliminary assessment of potential policy options will be presented. Feedback provided during the meeting or in writing will be discussed and taken into account in Commission future work. Interested parties are invited to attend.
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Closing Conference: "Sustainable raw materials management in Europe - Fostering stakeholder dialogue to deliver on the future"
Brussels, 23-24/03/2015. The COBALT project Closing Conference aims to discuss current and future challenges, needs and solutions for sustainable raw materials management in Europe along value chains. Informed by lessons learned from past events on stakeholder dialogues and need for co-management, the conference will feature input from science, industry and civil society on scarcities, substitution, energy demand of raw materials management, challenges and needs in relation to sustainable mining, urban mining and (product) eco-design, the role of co-management in managing change along value chains.
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