Circular Economy Policy Innovations and Good Practices in Member States

The European Environment Agency (EEA) analyses current developments and innovations in the circular economy (CE) in the EU Member States. A working paper from 2022 provides an overview of the country profiles commissioned by the EEA, which contain information on political framework conditions, monitoring and target-setting mechanisms as well as examples of innovative approaches and best-practice policy examples.

Since 2016, 20 EU Member States have adopted national strategies, roadmaps or action plans on the circular economy, with six more countries close to adopting them. However, the implementation of these policies poses institutional challenges. Many countries integrate CE elements into other policies such as waste management, climate and public procurement. Few countries have conducted a comprehensive assessment of their CE progress, but 15 countries have developed their own monitoring frameworks, often based on EU CEMF indicators. Eighteen countries have introduced specific CE targets and several have set long-term targets for their circular material utilisation rates (CMURs).

The role of the government is shifting from that of a regulator to that of a facilitator in the CE sector. Research and innovation were identified as key areas and 14 Member States reported funding programmes for research projects and innovation centres.

A total of 159 examples of innovative policies and 81 private initiatives were reported. Policies include financial support programmes, education and awareness programmes, waste management policy changes and tax incentives. Private initiatives include measures in the areas of plastics, textiles and construction.

Institutional challenges remain the biggest obstacle to the transition to a circular economy. The development of CE policies is only the first step - the real challenge lies in their full implementation. The report emphasises the importance of further development and implementation of CE policies to overcome existing challenges and drive the circular economy in EU Member States. Co-operation at national and international level is seen as the key to success.

You can download the report here: