Minerals in Depth

A clean planet for all: a European strategic long-term vision for a modern, competitive green economy

Recycling, Substitution and Circular Economy

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank. (2018) A clean planet for all: a European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy. COM/2018/773

In this 2018 paper, the European Commission sets out its vision for a climate-neutral EU, across all the key sectors and explores pathways for the transition to net-zero for member states.

The paper sets out pathways for the transition a net-zero emissions economy and the priorities to deliver on this goal, across seven strategic building blocks;

  1. Maximising the benefit from energy efficiency, including zero-emission buildings;
  2. Maximising the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully decarbonise Europe’s energy supply;
  3. Embracing clean, safe and connected mobility;
  4. A competitive EU industry and the circular economy as a key enabler to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  5. Develop an adequate smart network infrastructure and inter-connections;
  6. Reap the full benefits of bioeconomy and create essential carbon sinks; and
  7. Tackle remaining CO2 emissions with carbon capture and storage.

 

Crucially, a European enabling framework will be needed to pull all these pillars together. Speed of deployment, the buy-in of citizens, becoming active participants, and public acceptance of certain technologies are all important considerations. The paper concludes that this justifies putting in place a number of policies and an enabling framework which is conducive to stimulating these changes.

The report concludes that there are a number of pathways for achieving net-zero. All are challenging but feasible from a technological, economic, environmental and social perspective.

Applying the principles of a competitive, inclusive, socially fair and multilateral approach across the bloc should be the guiding force of the transition to a climate neutral Europe.

The full report can be found here.

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