Cohesion policy must be a driver of the circular economy

The European Parliament has today backed Greens/EFA proposals on making Cohesion Policy a driver of the circular economy. The proposals are contained in an initiative report from Greens/EFA MEP Davor Škrlec.

The report calls for:

• Cohesion funds to be made conditional on meeting circular economy objectives
• The development of national strategies on the circular economy, in line with the EU approach
• Greater spending on circular economy and climate-related investments in post-2020 cohesion policy

Davor Škrlec, rapporteur for the report on cohesion policy and the circular economy, comments

“Cohesion policy is one of the best tools we have to reduce social and economic inequality across Europe. We want to align that power with the enormous potential of the circular economy by matching EU spending power with our climate and environmental goals. This would be win-win for the economy and the environment.

“Waste presents a major problem for most of our communities, but in the circular economy we have a solution. The circular economy and cohesion policy must not be top down measures from Brussels, but policies deliberated on the local and regional level. The environmental benefits of cutting waste are clear, but this is about much more than that. The circular economy can be a massive injection into the European economy. This is a chance to create quality green jobs in communities where there is often a lack of opportunity."