In the opinion of the European Court of Auditors, the Commission and the Member States of the EU are not using the money earmarked for the transition to a circular economy efficiently enough. “Most of the EU funds have been used for waste management. However, there is less potential for reducing environmental impacts there,” says a report by the Luxembourg Court of Auditors published on Monday. According to the test center, it would have been better to invest in a reusable design, for example. According to the information, the EU has earmarked more than 10 billion euros for the transition to a circular economy between 2016 and 2020.
Against the background of the so-called Green Deal, the EU Commission presented an action plan in 2020 with the aim of doubling the proportion of materials that are recycled in the EU and returned to the economy by 2030. The plan should help countries take action to promote the circular economy. “Conserving materials and generating as little waste as possible is essential if the EU is to become resource efficient and achieve the environmental goals of its Green Deal,” said Annemie Turtelboom of the Court of Auditors. “However, EU policy has so far missed its target, as unfortunately the transition to a circular economy in European countries is hardly progressing.”
In Germany, the proportion of materials that can be used in a circular manner was 12.9 percent in 2020, according to the EU Statistical Office. The Netherlands were the frontrunners with 30 percent, followed by Romania with 1.5 percent. The average share in the EU was 11.7 percent.
