scholarly journals Critical raw materials as a part of sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 12-23
Author(s):  
Michal Cehlár ◽  
Zuzana Šimková
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
The European Union ◽  
European Area ◽  
Material Sources ◽  
Committee Of The Regions ◽  
Critical Raw Materials

The presented article deals with the issue of critical raw materials in the European Union with an emphasis on sustainable development and also barite, as an only one critical raw material mined in Slovakia. The article points out in detail the deposits of individual critical raw materials within the European Union. They clearly profile the European area´s dependence on imports of critical raw materials in accordance with the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European Union's list of critical raw materials. Based on a defined Herfindahl-Hirschman index, which is clearly methodologically described, the article also points to the exploitation of critical raw materials in the European Union, what is in consideration of sustainable development crucial because some inventions are fundamentally dependent on them, as is their production on world markets. This article deals with critical raw materials in the EU, because it is in this area that we would like to experience the 4th industrial revolution, which is characterized by "new products" with a short life cycle, products with the least possible impact on the environment, i.e. innovations that are often impossible without important raw materials. Is it at all possible to talk about sustainable development with such raw material sources in European Union?

scholarly journals European Union Legislation Overview about Used Vegetable Oils Recycling: The Spanish and Italian Case Studies

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 798
Author(s):  
Jesus Ibanez ◽  
Sonia Martel Martín ◽  
Salvatore Baldino ◽  
Cristina Prandi ◽  
Alberto Mannu
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Vegetable Oils ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Legislative Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
New Production ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Eu

The employment of used vegetable oils (UVOs) as raw materials in key sectors as energy production or bio-lubricant synthesis represents one of the most relevant priorities in the European Union (EU) normative context. In many countries, the development of new production processes based on the circular economy model, as well as the definition of future energy and production targets, involve the utilization of wastes as raw material. In this context, the main currently applied EU regulations are presented and discussed. As in the EU, the general legislative process consists of the definition in each State Member of specific legislation, which transposes the EU indications. Two relevant countries are herein considered: Italy and Spain. Through the analysis of the conditions required in both countries for UVOs’ collection, disposal, storage, and recycling, a wide panorama of the current situation is provided.

scholarly journals The Economics of Coking Coal Mining: A Fossil Fuel Still Needed for Steel Production

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 7682
Author(s):  
Adam Duda ◽  
Gregorio Fidalgo Valverde
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Steel Production ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Coking Coal ◽  
Technological Readiness ◽  
Mining Project ◽  
Critical Raw Materials

Coking coal has been on the European list of critical raw materials since 2014 due to its high economic importance and high supply risk. In 2017, coking coal narrowly missed passing the threshold of economic importance. However, out of caution, it remained on the list of critical raw materials, as the steel industry still needs it. It is likely to be phased out of the list below when it does not fully meet the required criteria. As there are no significant alternatives for this energy intensive industry and neither electrification nor material or energy efficiency improvements are yet available at a sufficient level of technological readiness, the European Union remains dependent on coking coal imports. Therefore, any coking coal mining project in Europe is of great importance and an important alternative to solving the problems of providing this raw material. In this study, the Dębieńsko coking coal project in Poland is analyzed using a scientifically proven methodology based on world-class analysis of coking coal projects submitted for financing to financial institutions.

scholarly journals Društvene inovacije kao važan element europskih razvojnih strategija

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-327
Author(s):  
Sanja Franc
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Further Development ◽  
The Eu

SOCIAL INNOVATION AS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES EU member states are undergoing the process of economic and demographic transformation with significant influence on society and economy. In order to respond to the existing and future challenges, it is necessary to adapt development strategies and policies, as well as to focus on concepts such as innovation, social change, equality and sustainable development. In the new development strategy, EU will focus on creating a society that will function as a competitive, secure and energy-efficient system. Scientists, economic policy makers, nongovernmental organisations and entrepreneurs are showing an increasing interest in the field of social innovation, striving to address a series of contemporary challenges. The aim of this paper is to study the role and ways of fostering social innovations in the European Union. The contribution of this paper is reflected in the systematic review of the importance of social innovation and the measures used to foster them, while pointing out the existing obstacles and needs and recommendations for further development of social innovation in the context of global challenges that the EU is facing. The results of the research indicate the growing importance of social innovation in modern EU policies that actively promote the quintuple helix approach, recognizing sustainable development and innovation as key development priorities during the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Recommendations for further development of social innovation in the EU include the need to coordinate various EU instruments in this area, encourage investment in innovative education, training and employment programs in this area, increase awareness of social innovation, encourage networking and dissemination of information and create an enabling environment for their development. Also, the paper highlights the shortcomings in the field of measuring social innovation, as well as the need to address this challenge, in order to improve the understanding of their role, but also a more efficient allocation of incentives to them. Key words: social innovation, European Union, strategic framework, development strategies.

scholarly journals The Role of Poland in the European Union Supply Chain of Raw Materials, Including Critical Raw Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Galos ◽  
Alicja Kot-Niewiadomska ◽  
Jarosław Kamyk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mineral Raw Materials ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Critical Raw Materials

The EU’s demand for numerous mineral raw materials is growing intensively, while the security of their supplies (mostly form outside the EU) is often at high risk. This is especially the case for critical raw materials (CRMs). Poland is now and may be in the future the most important supplier of numerous mineral raw materials to other EU countries. This is especially the case for coking coal, copper, silver and elemental sulfur. This article briefly evaluates the current and future possibilities for the supply of these raw materials from Poland to the EU market.

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.

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.

TERRITORIAL COHESION POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF EU REGIONAL SECURITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (Vol 18, No 4 (2019)) ◽  
pp. 439-453
Author(s):  
Ihor LISHCHYNSKYY
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cohesion Policy ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Territorial Cohesion ◽  
Interregional Cooperation ◽  
The Eu

The article is devoted to the study of the implementation of territorial cohesion policy in the European Union in order to achieve a secure regional coexistence. In particular, the regulatory and institutional origins of territorial cohesion policy in the EU are considered. The evolution of ontological models of cohesion policy has been outlined. Specifically, the emphasis is placed on the key objective of political geography – effectively combining the need for "territorialization" and the growing importance of networking. The role of urbanization processes in the context of cohesion policy is highlighted. Cross-border dimensions of cohesion policy in the context of interregional cooperation are explored. Particular emphasis is placed on the features of integrated sustainable development strategies.

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