Why Circular Economy?
In a world where demand and competition for finite resources continue to increase, and pressure on resources is causing greater environmental degradation and fragility, valuable materials are leaking from our economies. Moving to more circular economic models would allow Europe to rise to the current and future challenges of global pressure on resources and increasing insecurity of supply.
Circular economy systems are beneficial for the planet because they keep resources within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life. This means that materials can be productively used again and again and hence eliminate waste. But a transition to a more circular economy requires deep changes throughout value chains. There is a need for sustainable product design, new business and market models, alternative ways of turning waste into resources and new modes of consumer behaviour. This implies full systemic change and innovation – not only in technologies but also in organisations, society, finance and policy.
About EIT Circular Economy Community
The European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT) Circular Economy Community consists of five Knowledge and Innovation Communities – or “KICs” – namely EIT RawMaterials, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility.
The KICs carry out activities that cover the entire innovation chain: training and education programmes, reinforcing the journey from research to market, innovation projects, as well as business incubators and accelerators. Through the KICs, EIT strengthens cooperation among businesses (including SMEs), higher education institutions and research organisations, forms dynamic pan-European partnerships, and creates favourable environments for creative thought processes and innovations to flourish.
Our Main Objectives
Support the innovation communities in developing a joint circular economy offer and to increase their visibility in the circular economy landscape.
Strengthen collaboration with European Commission services through the implementation of a Circular Economy joint strategy.
Initiate and strengthen the collaboration with other relevant stakeholders and initiatives in the circular economy landscape.
Support breakthrough initiatives and start-ups through the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Programme.
Collaborate with the European Commission in the implementation of the European Circular Economy Action Plan.
Collaborate with the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) through the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission (EC).
Pool and create further non-technical knowledge regarding specific aspects affecting the adequate implementation of Circular Economy approaches, as well as facilitating the access to markets for innovative KICs solutions.