This knowledge hub includes thought leadership from the Materials & Products Taskforce on the Circular Economy Action Plan, circular economy and industrial policy more broadly.
These initiatives are to be welcomed as broadly positive in their likely impacts in enabling business to develop more sustainable and circular material use and climate action by them, through their supply chains and consumers.
At the historic COP26 in Glasgow in October 2021, CLG Europe launched the Taskforce for climate neutral and circular materials and products. The vision of our Taskforce is of a group which brings together companies that are actively committed to using climate neutral and sustainable materials, and who raise awareness about the need for EU measures to help decarbonise materials. The Taskforce is a cross-sectoral and cross-value chain group with an ambitious standpoint that builds clear outreach to EU decisionmakers.
The Taskforce drives the development, implementation and support of more ambitious, future-proof policies, programmes and initiatives in Europe to create an ecosystem that more rapidly shifts away from the energy and resource intensive production of materials. The Taskforce is doing it through providing a forum for its members to exchange views, creating thought leadership pieces and leading campaigns at key policy moments.
The Taskforce has established itself as a progressive voice in the space of the Circular Economy, particularly influencing around the ESPR & the Circular Economy Package. Since starting in October 2021, we have published two papers and several analyses and further organised various events. Please see some of our key outputs below.
Key outputs
CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce launch
their new report at the European Parliament
12 September 2024 – CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce launched their new report at the European Parliament
and online.
Read more
No Time to Waste: Driving the EU’s Resilience and Competitiveness through a Circular Economy
This report delves into the business case for accelerated EU action on the circular economy, which is gaining increasing political and policy traction.
Read more
‘How the new EU institutions can kickstart the Circular Economy’ - Materials and Products Taskforce webinar
On 8 April 2024, as part of WCEF Side Events 2024, CLG Europe’s Materials and Products Taskforce hosted a webinar titled ‘How the new EU institutions can kickstart the Circular Economy’.
Read more
Roundtable: How to create decent & fair circular jobs in the EU?
CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce hosted a closed roundtable, both in Brussels and online, delving into how the shift towards circular economy impacts employment in the EU and beyond.
Read more
Materials & Products Taskforce policy briefing launch – ‘Inclusive Circularity: Creating decent and fair jobs
in the EU’
The Taskforce launched a new policy briefing ‘Inclusive Circularity: Creating decent and fair jobs in the EU’ at COP28 in Dubai.
Read more
Policy Briefing: Inclusive Circularity: Creating decent and fair jobs in the EU
This policy briefing provides an overview of the types of jobs that are needed in a circular economy and the opportunities and barriers around creating decent and inclusive jobs.
Read more
Latest
CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce launch their new report at the European Parliament
11 October 2024
12 September 2024 – CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce launched their new report at the European Parliament and online: “ No Time to Waste: Driving the EU’s Resilience and Competitiveness through a Circular Economy ”. Gathering over 60 stakeholders including policymakers, businesses, and civil society representatives, the presentation of this timely new report was followed by a vigorous discussion about the next five years of the circular economy in the European Union.
No Time to Waste: Driving the EU’s Resilience and Competitiveness through a Circular Economy
12 September 2024
12 September 2024 - CLG Europe’s Materials and Products Taskforce has released a new report highlighting the urgent need to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the EU, emphasising its critical role in strengthening the EU's resilience, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy.
Roundtable: How to create decent & fair circular jobs in the EU?
29 January 2024
29 January 2024 – CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce hosted a closed roundtable, both in Brussels and online, delving into how the shift towards circular economy impacts employment in the EU and beyond, involving approximately 30 stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society representatives, and experts to identify priority actions for policymakers.
7 December 2023
5 December 2023 – This week, the Taskforce for climate neutral and circular materials and products launched a new policy briefing ‘Inclusive Circularity: Creating decent and fair jobs in the EU’ at COP28 in Dubai. The policy briefing provides an overview of the types of jobs that are needed in a circular economy, the opportunities and barriers around creating decent and inclusive jobs, the links between circular economy and social policies, and the private sector’s views on this topic.
Policy Briefing: Inclusive Circularity: Creating decent and fair jobs in the EU
5 December 2023
5 December 2023 - CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce has released a new report on the importance of the connection between the transition to a circular economy and the creation of decent and inclusive jobs for all.
17 October 2023
On 17 October 2023, as part of London Circular Economy Week, CLG Europe’s Materials and Products Taskforce hosted a webinar setting out EU Circular Economy Policy.
20 July 2023
July 2023 – This week, the Taskforce for Climate Neutral and Circular Materials and Products hosted a hybrid event at the European Parliament to mark the launch of their report “Embracing circularity: A pathway for strengthening the Critical Raw Materials Act,” in collaboration with the Wuppertal Institute. The report emphasized the importance of circular practices in achieving the European Union’s climate neutrality targets, presenting case studies from business members including Volvo and Hydro, and recommendations on key materials, sparking discussions among stakeholders from industry, academia, and NGOs.
Report: Embracing circularity: A pathway for strengthening the Critical Raw Materials Act
17 July 2023
17 July 2023 - CLG Europe’s Materials & Products Taskforce has released a new report in partnership with the Wuppertal Institute on the importance of better integrating circularity in the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act.
9 May 2023
10 May 2023 - Europe is undergoing a deep transformation towards a greener, cleaner economy. There is a systemic shift that is needed. Currently, this is happening too slowly, and greater acceleration is needed if we are to meet our climate objectives. Energy policies can tackle 55% of global emissions, but the circular economy can further tackle the remaining 45% of emissions derived from material production. The Materials & Products Taskforce has released its new policy briefing, building on business insights, on how circular economy practises could enable energy savings.
13 January 2023
The European Commission released its latest set of circular economy policies on 30 November 2022. This included key files such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The purpose of this event was to react to the release of these pieces of legislation and provide a space for key stakeholders to give initial responses to the new legislative initiatives, including policymakers, businesses and third sector organisations. The focus of this event was on the new policies and how they fit into the wider movement towards a more circular European economy. The event offered a collective space to discuss the policies whilst also giving a progressive business view. This event was hosted by CLG Europe’s Taskforce on Climate Neutral and Circular Materials and Products. The Taskforce was launched with the aim of driving forward policy action on sustainable materials by bringing together a group of progressive businesses across sectors and value chains.
