scholarly journals Aspects of the Circular Economy in the Member States of the European Union

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Florina Bran ◽  
Dumitru Alexandru Bodislav ◽  
Svetlana Platagea Gombos ◽  
Petrică Sorin Angheluță
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Use Of Resources

The interest in having a low-carbon economy has led to transformations in the economies of all countries. New economic models are being put into practice. New jobs are being created. Sustainable use of resources is becoming more important. The article presents an analysis of waste generation in the member countries of the European Union. The study of the possibility of reusing certain materials started from the design phase of the finished product. Production processes can also contribute to saving natural resources. This can create new business opportunities and avoid inefficient waste management. The article also analyzes the degree of municipal waste collection, as well as the share of recycled municipal waste. In the production process, the recovery of certain materials and then their use can lead to savings in the use of raw materials. This reduces the pressure exerted by the extraction of raw materials on the environment. Further investments in green technologies will contribute to the efficient use of natural resources, restore biodiversity and reduce pollution.

scholarly journals The “New” Environmental Policy Of The European Union: A Path To Development Of A Circular Economy And Mitigation Of The Negative Effects Of Climate Change

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Wysokińska
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Policy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Economy ◽  
The Eu

This paper analyses the evolution of the new environmental policy of the European Union in the context of the efforts undertaken to moderate the negative effects of climate change. It describes all the activities in the European Union designed to implement new tools of the EU environmental policy, such as low carbon economy technologies, tools that improve the efficiency of managing the limited natural resources, the environmentally friendly transport package, etc. All of them are aimed at laying the foundations of the circular economy, which may also be referred to as a closed-loop economy, i.e., an economy that does not generate excessive waste and whereby any waste becomes a resource.

scholarly journals Global Lithium Sources—Industrial Use and Future in the Electric Vehicle Industry: A Review

Resources ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Kavanagh ◽  
Jerome Keohane ◽  
Guiomar Garcia Cabellos ◽  
Andrew Lloyd ◽  
John Cleary
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Lithium Ion ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Low Carbon Economy

Lithium is a key component in green energy storage technologies and is rapidly becoming a metal of crucial importance to the European Union. The different industrial uses of lithium are discussed in this review along with a compilation of the locations of the main geological sources of lithium. An emphasis is placed on lithium’s use in lithium ion batteries and their use in the electric vehicle industry. The electric vehicle market is driving new demand for lithium resources. The expected scale-up in this sector will put pressure on current lithium supplies. The European Union has a burgeoning demand for lithium and is the second largest consumer of lithium resources. Currently, only 1–2% of worldwide lithium is produced in the European Union (Portugal). There are several lithium mineralisations scattered across Europe, the majority of which are currently undergoing mining feasibility studies. The increasing cost of lithium is driving a new global mining boom and should see many of Europe’s mineralisation’s becoming economic. The information given in this paper is a source of contextual information that can be used to support the European Union’s drive towards a low carbon economy and to develop the field of research.

scholarly journals THE CONTRIBUTION OF UKRAINIAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGISTS TO THE INNOVATIVE TRANSFORMATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: THE EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EU FUNDING PROGRAMS

2021 ◽  
pp. 144-157
Author(s):  
Hanna LIVENTSEVA ◽  
Olena IVANOVA ◽  
Yuliia DEMCHUK
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Abandoned Mines ◽  
European Federation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Association Agreement ◽  
Geothermal Fluids

The public organization Ukrianian Association of Geologists (UAG) is active internationally.   Since 2015 UAG (EC UAG) has been working on projects initiated by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) within the framework of the European Union Framework Program for Research and Innovation «Horizon 2020»: KINDRA, INTRAW, UNEXMIN, CHPM2030, INFACT, CROWDTHERMAL, ENGIE, REFLECT. Projects KINDRA, INTRAW, UNEXMIN, CHPM2030 are successfully completed. The active phase of the INFACT, REFLECT, CROWDTHERMAL, engie projects continues.   The content of work on the projects fully coincides with the goals and objectives of the Strategy of the Ukrainian Association of Geologists to promote the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union regarding the efficient and balanced use of natural resources for 2018-2025. “Geology for the European Future of Ukraine” and the International Platform “Implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union regarding the effective and balanced use of natural resources”, carried out with the aim of promoting the efficiency and competitiveness of the Ukrainian economy through the application of mechanisms and practices in the field of natural resources relevant European legislative acts, requirements of European standards in the context of the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union (EU).   These projects are aimed at systematization / streamlining of knowledge to create networks of project stakeholders; assessment of available practical and scientific knowledge related to groundwater (KINDRA); expansion of the community of geologists and experts in the efficient and balanced use of natural resources, and mineral raw materials in particular; development and testing of innovative, non-invasive geological exploration technologies (INFACT); EU cooperation with other technologically advanced countries in the field of effective management of mineral, primarily critical, raw materials (INTRAW); reassessment of the mineral potential of abandoned mines for future mining operations (UNEXMIN); development of a new and potentially breakthrough technological solution that can help meet European needs for energy and strategic metals in a single interconnected process; reassessment of mineral resource potential in Europe (CHPM2030); empowering the European public to directly participate in the development of geothermal projects through alternative schemes (crowdfunding) and social engagement tools (CROWDTHERMAL); implementation of the European Atlas of Geothermal Fluids (REFLECT); expanding educational activities among young students and overcoming of gender stereotypes prevailing in geology and related disciplines (ENGIE). 

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 On the possibilities of launching a regional pilot project for the development of a low-carbon economy in the Republic of Tatarstan

Georesursy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Igor A. Makarov ◽  
Evgeniya E. Muzychenko
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Carbon Economy

Decarbonization is one of the main trends in global development of the last decade. More than 120 countries have already announced plans to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century. Among them are Russia’s largest trading partners, including the European Union, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, as well as the United States. These ambitions are supported by a tightening carbon regulation: carbon pricing has already been set up in 64 countries and regions. In the largest emissions trading system – the European one – carbon price has already exceeded 50 euros per ton of emissions. Significant effort in decarbonization has been taken in many industries (e.g., civil aviation, maritime transport, oil and gas industry), companies (which set up carbon neutrality targets and introduce internal carbon pricing) and the financial sector. Standards for corporate information disclosure about emissions and strategies for their reduction, in particular CDP and TCFD, are being developed and adopted. At the same time, ways to put pressure on competitors who do not want to bear the costs associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions are being developed. For example, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be launched by the European Union in 2023. All these trends mean that products with low carbon footprint become not just a competitive advantage for a company, but also an inevitable condition for its presence on the international market. Companies with a high carbon footprint face less favorable conditions of borrowing, as well as trading barriers and growing pressure from customers both corporate and individual. In this regard, the development of low-carbon economy in Russia is inevitable to minimize the costs associated with tightening regulation. It is becoming particularly relevant for export-oriented regions with large emissions, including the Republic of Tatarstan. In our opinion, the launch of a pilot project to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in this region is important not only for GHG reduction itself, but also for increasing competitiveness of Tatarstan companies on international markets and attracting investment from both Russian and foreign investors. In this paper, we explain the need to launch such a pilot and relying on the existing Russian and international experience on the one hand and taking into account the characteristics of Tatarstan’s economy on the other, we demonstrate a scheme by which such a project can be organized.

scholarly journals GREEN ECONOMY CONSTRUCTION AS THE MAIN COMPONENT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE

2017 ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Diana Garlytska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Association Agreement ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Economy ◽  
The Eu

Introduction.The Association Agreement with the EU requires the Ukrainian financial and economic system to adapt to European standards in production and readiness for the future perspective of integration into the European market of emissions trading. Green economy construction in Ukraine and compliance with requirements of the Association Agreement determine the possibility of eurointegration of our state. Purpose. The aim of the article is to justify the need to build a green (low carbon) economy as an important prerequisite for the successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union. Method (methodology). The dialectical method of cognition, the fundamental aspects of the concept of sustainable development have become the methodological basis of the study. Results.The necessity of building a green (low carbon) economy as an important precondition for the successful integration of Ukraine into the European Union has been substantiated. The essense of the concepts of the green economy, green growth and sustainable development have been disclosed. The measures for cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of environmental protection in the context of European integration have been determined.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

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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