Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/242043 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Citation: 
[Journal:] DIW Weekly Report [ISSN:] 2568-7697 [Volume:] 11 [Issue:] 26 [Publisher:] Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) [Place:] Berlin [Year:] 2021 [Pages:] 187-195
Publisher: 
Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), Berlin
Abstract: 
For Europe to reach climate neutrality by mid-century, it needs to move toward a circular economy. Waste avoidance, reuse, and recycling save primary resources and avoid emissions in the production of basic materials like steel, cement, and plastics. Without exploring circular economy potentials, switching production to climate-neutral processes alone would result in significant costs and tremendous demand for clean energy. However, enabling the circular transition requires coordinated policy measures. Carbon costs must be fully reflected in basic material prices, while product standards and stakeholder incentives should be aligned with the recyclability of products. In addition, consumer awareness should be raised through reliable information on product environmental impacts, while investment in sorting and recycling infrastructure should be stimulated. Clear targets and definition of responsibilities are necessary for the effective implementation of these measures.
Subjects: 
industrial decarbonization
plastic recycling
circular economy
value chain
policy package
JEL: 
Q53
Q54
Q58
L65
L51
H23
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Article

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