A systematic analysis of EU publications on the Circular Economy
This report proposes a systematic analysis of all EU publications on the circular economy available in the database of the Publications Office of the European Union until December 31, 2022. Main results indicate that: Publications started to appear soon before the release of the first Circular Economy Action Plan (2015) and grew in number towards the second Circular Economy Action Plan (2020); Most publications originate from a few Directorate Generals of the European Commission, followed distantly by the European Environment Agency; Recycling is, by far, the circular economy strategy most frequently discussed, while reducing and reusing are mentioned significantly less despite their higher potential and priority position in the EU waste hierarchy; A major focus is placed on plastic in comparison to all other material categories including biomass, non-metallic minerals, metals and alloys, critical materials, and fossil fuels; “ecological issues and waste management” and “economic growth and innovation” are frequently mentioned as rationales behind the need for circularity actions, while the discussion on “resource concerns and supply risk”, “employment and job creation” and “climate change and emissions” is limited. These results are briefly discussed in the report, to inform future research in support of potential policy options to enhance the circular economy in the EU.
2023-05-02
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC133158
978-92-68-03004-2 (online)
1831-9424 (online)
EUR 31491 EN , OP KJ-NA-31-491-EN-N (online)
| Language |
Citation |
| ENG | Baldassarre, B. and Saveyn, H., A systematic analysis of EU publications on the Circular Economy, EUR 31491 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, ISBN 978-92-68-03004-2, doi:10.2760/36203, JRC133158. |
A systematic analysis of EU publications on the Circular Economy
(1.91 MB - PDF)
