Brussels – The circular economy is not just about helping the planet; it can also become a driving force for European competitiveness. This was highlighted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in an opinion drafted during the October plenary session. Drafted by the rapporteur, Mihaela Adelina Dabu, and the co-rapporteur, Srita Heide, the text argues that “an economic model based on recycling, reuse, repair, and the efficient use of resources can reduce the EU’s dependence on external suppliers, strengthen industrial resilience and make the European economy less vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains”. To achieve such a transformation, “a workforce equipped with the skills needed to develop and implement circular practices across different sectors” is required, the EESC warned.
According to a
report on resource use and the economic costs of waste
carried out by the non-profit organisation Circle Economy and Deloitte, raw materials account for a significant proportion of European industrial costs, “leaving businesses particularly vulnerable to the inefficiencies of the traditional model based on extraction, production, and disposal.” The research also highlights that
“avoidable value losses linked to the linear use of materials amount to 25,400 billion euros per year worldwide, equivalent to almost a third of global GDP. ”The Committee therefore noted that “these losses represent a significant economic value that could potentially be preserved or recovered through more efficient use of resources and circular practices, with considerable benefits for the economy”.
With regard to employment, the opinion states that “the circular economy also represents an important source of employment, with around 4.3 million people already employed in related sectors across the Union.” To capitalise on these opportunities, the EESC called in its opinion for the principles and skills of the circular economy to be integrated at all levels of education, from schools through vocational training to universities. The Committee has therefore urged the European Commission and the Member States to “reduce bureaucratic barriers to training by providing businesses with modular, ready-to-use training programmes.” To facilitate participation, particularly by smaller businesses, the Committee proposed the establishment of “national voucher schemes to fund continuing training,” calling for “skills related to the circular economy be integrated into future EU funding programmes, in particular the European Social Fund Plus and the European Competitiveness Fund.”
In this regard, Dabu stated that “skills in the circular economy can become a driver of competitiveness if training is made accessible through ready-to-use educational programmes, recognised and transferable qualifications, and straightforward funding, such as vouchers,” he added. Similarly, Heide stated that “building a circular economy means not only transforming our industries, but also providing the people driving this transformation with the necessary tools.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
