Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition

This paper reviews and analyzes the process of the implementation of the circular economy in the European Union (EU) and Spain, and its links to the low-carbon transition. The EU implementation of the circular economy went through several stages. Since the adoption of the first action plan in 1993,...

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Main Authors: Maria del P. Pablo-Romero, Antonio Sánchez-Braza, Cristóbal Torreblanca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5255
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author Maria del P. Pablo-Romero
Antonio Sánchez-Braza
Cristóbal Torreblanca
author_facet Maria del P. Pablo-Romero
Antonio Sánchez-Braza
Cristóbal Torreblanca
author_sort Maria del P. Pablo-Romero
collection DOAJ
description This paper reviews and analyzes the process of the implementation of the circular economy in the European Union (EU) and Spain, and its links to the low-carbon transition. The EU implementation of the circular economy went through several stages. Since the adoption of the first action plan in 1993, the links between the circular economy and carbon transition goals have become intertwined. Recently, the EU approved the framework of new monitoring measures and indicators for the circular economy. The adopted actions have involved the adaptation of European legislation at the national level. Spain has participated in this process since 2017, when the Circular Economy Pact was signed. The subsequent approval of the Spanish Strategy for a Circular Economy in 2020 was developed, considering a close relationship between decarbonization and the circular economy. Lately, the circular economy implementation has been strengthened with the strategic project for economic recovery and transformation, linked to the recovery of COVID-19, and the roadmap for the sustainable management of mineral raw materials, with both documents including actions directly related to transforming the energy system. Data show that Spain has made significant improvements in the circular economy transition. However, Spain’s vulnerability to externalities is greater than that of the EU as a whole.
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-17c15fc8a21e4a3d9d2ac28ff7ac217c2024-11-08T14:35:05ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-10-011721525510.3390/en17215255Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon TransitionMaria del P. Pablo-Romero0Antonio Sánchez-Braza1Cristóbal Torreblanca2Department of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, 41018 Sevilla, SpainDepartment of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, 41018 Sevilla, SpainDepartment of Economic Analysis and Political Economy, Universidad de Sevilla, 41018 Sevilla, SpainThis paper reviews and analyzes the process of the implementation of the circular economy in the European Union (EU) and Spain, and its links to the low-carbon transition. The EU implementation of the circular economy went through several stages. Since the adoption of the first action plan in 1993, the links between the circular economy and carbon transition goals have become intertwined. Recently, the EU approved the framework of new monitoring measures and indicators for the circular economy. The adopted actions have involved the adaptation of European legislation at the national level. Spain has participated in this process since 2017, when the Circular Economy Pact was signed. The subsequent approval of the Spanish Strategy for a Circular Economy in 2020 was developed, considering a close relationship between decarbonization and the circular economy. Lately, the circular economy implementation has been strengthened with the strategic project for economic recovery and transformation, linked to the recovery of COVID-19, and the roadmap for the sustainable management of mineral raw materials, with both documents including actions directly related to transforming the energy system. Data show that Spain has made significant improvements in the circular economy transition. However, Spain’s vulnerability to externalities is greater than that of the EU as a whole.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5255circular economySpainEuropean Unionpolicy and data evolution
spellingShingle Maria del P. Pablo-Romero
Antonio Sánchez-Braza
Cristóbal Torreblanca
Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
Energies
circular economy
Spain
European Union
policy and data evolution
title Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
title_full Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
title_fullStr Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
title_full_unstemmed Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
title_short Implementing the Circular Economy in the European Union and Spain: Links to the Low-Carbon Transition
title_sort implementing the circular economy in the european union and spain links to the low carbon transition
topic circular economy
Spain
European Union
policy and data evolution
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/21/5255
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AT antoniosanchezbraza implementingthecirculareconomyintheeuropeanunionandspainlinkstothelowcarbontransition
AT cristobaltorreblanca implementingthecirculareconomyintheeuropeanunionandspainlinkstothelowcarbontransition