scholarly journals Eco-innovations for a circular economy: the EU countries rankings

2021 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 01012
Author(s):  
Konstantin G. Gomonov
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Catching Up ◽  
The Eu

This article reveals the importance of implementing eco-innovation for the circular economy and sustainable development. The author provides different approaches to measuring the level of development of eco-innovation in the countries of the European Union. The two main indices for measuring eco-innovation are revealed in more detail. Described the pillars of each of the indices. Clustering of EU countries was carried out using the k-means method and groups of countries were identified by the level of implementation of eco-innovation. The clear leaders are Denmark, Sweden. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland are catching-up countries.

scholarly journals The Importance of Higher Education in the EU Countries in Achieving the Objectives of the Circular Economy in the Energy Sector

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4407
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rokicki ◽  
Aleksandra Perkowska ◽  
Bogdan Klepacki ◽  
Hubert Szczepaniuk ◽  
Edyta Karolina Szczepaniuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Lorenz Curve ◽  
Research Period ◽  
The Eu

The main purpose of the article was to identify and present the current situation and changes in higher education in the field of electricity and energy studies in the European Union countries. The specific objectives include determining the degree of concentration of education in the fields of electricity and energy in the EU countries, showing the directions of their changes, types of dominant education in this field, establishing the correlation between education in the fields of electricity and energy and the parameters assessing the achievement of circular economy assumptions in the energy sector. All Member States of the European Union were deliberately selected for research. The research period covered the years 2013–2018. The source of the materials is a literature review on the subject and Eurostat data. For the analysis and presentation of materials, methods such as descriptive, tabular, graphical, dynamics indicators with a constant basis, Gini concentration coefficient, concentration analysis using the Lorenz curve, coefficient of variation, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient were used. A high concentration of education in the fields of electricity and energy was found in several EU countries, the largest in countries with the highest energy consumption, i.e., in France and Poland. Changes in the level of concentration practically did not take place, only in the case of master’s studies, there was an increase in concentration. However, the EU countries did not differ significantly in terms of the structure of the number of students studying electricity and energy.

scholarly journals From the circular economy to the sustainable development goals in the European Union: an empirical comparison

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón ◽  
Luis Rubio-Andrada ◽  
María Soledad Celemín-Pedroche ◽  
Soraya María Ruíz-Peñalver
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is trying to accelerate the transition from the current linear economy to a circular economy (CE). In fact, the CE is considered a tool to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this sense, this paper aims at analysing the interaction between the CE and SDGs in the context of the new 2030 Agenda and the European CE strategy; thus contributing to the scarce empirical literature that links the potential of the European CE strategy to the achievement of the SDGs set by the 2030 Agenda. Three specific research questions have been formulated. First, could the objectives defined in the 2030 Agenda be considered homogeneous, and could they uniquely measure the concept of sustainability? Second, are there significant correlations between the implementation of a CE in the EU and the SDGs? Finally, is the behaviour of the 28 countries that make up the EU homogeneous in terms of the results of the initiatives aimed at the implementation of a CE? From these questions, nine hypotheses are put forward concerning the possible relationships between a CE implementation and the fulfilment of SDGs in the EU. Using a correlation analysis, an exploratory factor analysis, and a cluster analysis, it has been demonstrated that (a) SDGs do not univocally measure the concept of sustainability; (b) there are significant relationships between CE and SDGs in the EU; (c) the behaviour of these European countries is not homogeneous.

scholarly journals Circular economy: advancement of European Union countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Mazur-Wierzbicka
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
The Eu

Abstract Background Circular economy (CE) is a development priority of the European Union and it is part of the EU industrial strategy. The transition to a more circular economy is an essential contribution to the EU’s efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The author focuses her CE-related reflections and research in this paper on the macro-level (research subjects: 28 EU countries), the level which is least represented in scholarly publications addressing CE (as follows from the analysis of literature in the Scopus database). This study aims to fill this gap partially. The aim of this paper is to identify and group the EU-28 countries according to their advancement towards circular economy. CE indicators proposed by the European Commission were used for the analysis. Given the research subjects and after an analysis of the literature they were concluded to be the most adequate. The theoretical part was based on an analysis of the literature, whereas the empirical work used the principal components analysis, hierarchical and k-means clustering and a grade correspondence-cluster analysis. Results On the basis of the research, the existence of a “two-speed Europe” was identified in terms of EU countries’ advancement towards CE. Leading countries, those most advanced in pursuing operation according to CE principles, include Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The second pole accommodates EU countries in which transformation towards CE is happening at the slowest pace. This group includes mainly countries of the Central and Eastern Europe and the countries of the south of Europe. Conclusions Differentiated levels of advancement of individual countries towards CE result inter alia from the adoption by some of the latter of different development strategies for their economies’ transitioning to circular economy (according to recommendations of EU ministers at the Environment Council in June 2016) and also from the differences occurring in social and economic development (it is mostly noticeable between the EU-15 and the EU-13 countries). Unfortunately, as can be concluded from the effects obtained so far, only a few of the adopted development strategies may be considered effective in meeting the challenges of circular economy according to the European Union’s standards.

scholarly journals Have the European Funds been able to reduce the differences in the level of unemployment between the countries of the Euro area? A reflection on the past, present and future of European programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (50) ◽  
pp. 270-286
Author(s):  
Miguel BLANCO ◽  
◽  
Mar MUÑOZ ◽  
Julia RANCHAL ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Maastricht Treaty ◽  
Theil Index ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Eu

One of the fundamental objectives of the Maastricht Treaty is the sustainable development of the European Union (EU) countries. Since its entry into force, large investments have been approved to finance convergence programs. The aim of this article is to determine if the investments made to date have managed to reduce the differences in unemployment rates among the EU countries. The Theil index has been calculated on the unemployment figures of the countries of the Eurozone during the period 2008-2019.

scholarly journals Implementation of circular economy on the basis of European experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-289
Author(s):  
Natalia Horbal ◽  
◽  
M. Mazuryk ◽  
Oleh Mykytyn ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Adoption Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Eu

Accelerated population growth, depletion of natural resources, excessive pollution of the environment, which threatens the existence of mankind, was a prerequisite for the emergence of the concept of circular economy and the principles of sustainable development, ie doing business without harm to the environment. The model of circular (circular) economy is aimed at energy saving, regenerative environmentally friendly consumption and production. The article presents the results of the study of the concept of circular economy and the benefits of its implementation based on the experience of the European Union - a global leader in this field. The main goals, priorities and measures of the EU in the implementation of the circular economy are revealed. The basic principles of the circular economy are highlighted, examples of successful use of its business models are given. The two most acute global problems that can be solved only by a closed-loop economy are identified, and forecasts of the results of its global use are given. Closed-loop economics is a concept of resource management that is rapidly gaining global popularity and is recognized in the scientific literature as one of the key drivers for achieving objectives of the Paris Agreement. 30 years have passed since the first mention of the "circularity" of the economy, however only after its official introduction in the EU its popularity has grown rapidly, and world leaders have gradually been realizing its importance for achieving sustainable development. Climate change and depletion of natural resources are the visible negative processes that require the implementation of a circular economy. At the same time, society itself must change – from the choice of raw materials, product development methods and new concepts of service to the widespread use of by-products of one industry as complete raw materials for another. This requires the training of relevant specialists, whose professional activity will be the circular economy.To date, the most significant results in the transition to a circular economy are demonstrated by the European Union (EU), where the European Resource Efficiency Platform, which brings together EU countries, aims to ensure the transition to a circular economy based on reuse and high-quality recycling. Circular economy is a new trend that is seen as an important area of structural reform and aims to raise awareness of the real environmental, energy and socio-economic situation of the world by identifying ideological options for a better understanding of the dilemma of economic growth vs. the environment, optimal ways and more effective tools for solving problems, faced by society. The goal of the circular economy is to ensure, in line with the global CSWs, a shift towards sustainable production and consumption while integrating environmental issues into the adoption process solutions.

scholarly journals Bioenergy and Bioresources Usage in the Context of Circular Economy Promotion

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
Leonid Melnyk ◽  
Oleksandr Kubatko ◽  
Svitlana Fedyna ◽  
Ivan Torba
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Space Heating ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Leading Position ◽  
By Products ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The circular economy, which minimises the level of environmental pollution, creates a promising background for sustainable development. The application of bioeconomics principles provides the use of by-products of agriculture, forestry, food waste, and wastewater as raw materials for electricity and heat. The objective is to analyse the prerequisites for bioenergy development as one of the circular economy areas. FGLS estimations are performed over the period of 2007–2018. The leading position in terms of bioenergy sphere growth is occupied by the European Union, followed by the countries of Asia and North America. The division of biomass into “traditional” and “modern” is discussed, where traditional biomass is mostly used for cooking and space heating in developing countries, while the EU is focusing on the development of second-generation (2G) biofuels when the biofuel is produced from non-food raw materials. It is estimated that the annual production of energy from renewable sources is about 225 thousand tons of o. e. in Ukraine. It is found that the legal field and the strategic directions of the bioeconomy in the European Union and Ukraine coincide, but the pace of development of bioenergy in Ukraine can be described as very slow. To increase the bioenergy potential, it is recommended to apply green tariffs, renewable energy certificates, and subsidies to energy producers.

Synthetic evaluation of disparities in sustainable development of European Union countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 37-55
Author(s):  
Iwona Bąk ◽  
Katarzyna Cheba
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Individual Member ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Sustainable Development Indicators ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Strategic Goals ◽  
Dynamic Version ◽  
The Eu

Consistent socio-economic development is one of the strategic goals of the European Union (EU) functioning. The research results presented in the literature focus mainly on the comparison of the position occupied by certain EU countries with respect to other member countries. However, it is also important to address the issue of the EU consistency and to assess the extent of development disparities between individual member countries. The aim of the study is a comparative analysis of the disproportions between the EU countries in the area of sustainable development. Sustainable development indicators for the years 2008—2014 available in the Eurostat database were used in the paper. A dynamic version of the relative taxonomy proposed by Stanisław Wydymus was used in the study. The analysis showed that there are strong disproportions in the development of the EU member countries — it turned out that in every geographical region of Europe there are countries with high positions in the ranking, as well as those with low positions. The leader in the whole analysed period was Sweden, with the last place taken by Malta.

scholarly journals Factors of uneven progress of the European Union countries towards a circular economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-344
Author(s):  
Maxim Polyakov ◽  
Igor Khanin ◽  
Vladimir Bilozubenko ◽  
Maxim Korneyev ◽  
Gennadij Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Parametric Analyses ◽  
Harmonic Means ◽  
The Eu

The increased final consumption exacerbates the problem of the scarcity of natural resources and leads to environmental pollution. The concept of circular economy, which implies the formation of closed-loop chains of production and consumption with maximum regeneration and recycling of materials, is considered as an alternative to the firmly established “linear economy” (take-make-dispose). As a part of sustainable development strategy, the European Union adopted a general policy on the transition to a circular economy. However, for objective reasons, such transition is quite uneven at the level of member countries, which adversely affects the total progress. Therefore, the need arises to assess the positions of individual countries and identify major reasons for the uneven transition to support the countries that are lagging.The goal of the study is to identify the factors of uneven progress of the EU countries towards a circular economy. For that reason, a set of empirical data (20 indicators) has been compiled; cluster, classification, and parametric analyses have been conducted. As a result, three clusters of the EU countries have been obtained and six indicators, included into combinations that make all clusters different, have been identified. These indicators can be interpreted as the key factors contributing to the uneven progress of the EU countries towards a circular economy. The difference in harmonic means by clusters allowed quantitatively estimating a “circular gap”. It is of practical value for the EU policy aimed at bridging the gaps between member countries during the transition to a circular economy.

scholarly journals Assessing the Level of Energy and Climate Sustainability in the European Union Countries in the Context of the European Green Deal Strategy and Agenda 2030

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1767
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tutak ◽  
Jarosław Brodny ◽  
Peter Bindzár
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Multiple Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Multicriteria Analysis ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Current State ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
The Eu

The concept of sustainable development integrates activities in the economic, environmental and social areas. Energy policy, which is very closely linked to climate protection, is of key importance for achieving the goals of the concept in question. All these elements are connected by the European Green Deal strategy and Agenda 2030. Their implementation requires the evaluation of previous actions undertaken within the framework of sustainable development and the diagnosis of the current state. Therefore, this article presents the results of such research in relation to the key industry connected with this process, which is the energy sector. The research methodology was based on the analysis of 14 indicators that characterize four basic areas (dimensions) related to energy and climate sustainability. These indicators concern energy and climate as well as social and economic issues. This approach makes it possible to comprehensively assess the actions taken so far in the implementation of sustainable economic development in the energy and climate area in the European Union (EU) countries. The entropy-complex-proportional-assessment (COPRAS) methodologies, which belong to the group of multiple criteria decision-making methods, were used for this study. The conducted research allowed for the assessment of the changes in the EU countries in terms of energy and climate sustainability between 2009–2018. In addition, the effects of the introduced changes in individual years and in relation to the studied areas (dimensions) were also evaluated. Based on the results, considering the adopted criteria, the EU countries were divided into groups similar to the level of energy and climate sustainability. The results constitute a valuable set of data, which allows for a wide and in-depth multicriteria analysis. This allows for a very objective and broad assessment of the effects of sustainable development policies in the EU countries and the current state in the context of the European Green Deal strategy and Agenda 2030.

European experience in transition to circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Ratner
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
European Experience ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Eu

Subject. The article considers the concept of circular economy, which has originated relatively recently in the academic literature, and is now increasingly recognized in many countries at the national level. In the European Union, the transition to circular economy is viewed as an opportunity to improve competitiveness of the European Union, protect businesses from resource shortages and fluctuating prices for raw materials and supplies, and a way to increase employment and innovation. Objectives. The aim of the study is to analyze the incentives developed by the European Commission for moving to circular economy, and to assess their effectiveness on the basis of statistical analysis. Methods. I employ general scientific methods of research. Results. The analysis of the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy enabled to conclude that the results of the recent research in circular economy barriers, eco-innovation, technology and infrastructure were successfully integrated into the framework of this document. Understanding the root causes holding back the circular economy development and the balanced combination of economic and administrative incentives strengthened the Action Plan, and it contributed to the circular economy development in the EU. Conclusions. The measures to stimulate the development of the circular economy proposed in the European Action Plan can be viewed as a prototype for designing similar strategies in other countries, including Russia. Meanwhile, a more detailed analysis of barriers to the circular economy at the level of individual countries and regions is needed.

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