El pasado 22 de noviembre la Comisión adoptó una nueva Comunicación sobre “Next steps for a Sustainable European Future” destacando cómo las políticas europeas contribuyen actualmente al logro de los objetivos de desarrollo medioambiental y cómo la UE pretende lograr dichos objetivos en el futuro. Se ha publicado junto con un anexo que recoge las principales acciones europeas que apoyan la agenda 2030 y los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible.
Destacamos los siguientes puntos:
| – Regarding SDG 7 on “Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All“, the attached “Annex of SWD Key European Actions” says that “the EU’s digital policy aims to contribute to energy efficiency, for example through its actions on and support to smart energy grids, smart metering and smart cities”.- Regarding SDG 12 on “Sustainable Consumption and Production”, it reads: “Still faced with a range of natural capital challenges, the EU is increasingly complementing legislative approaches with other policies designed to “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” or SDG 12. Here, resource efficiency and circular economy actions aim to decouple economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation. Sustainable consumption will also require consumer policies that raise awareness and allow consumers to make informed choices contributing to sustainability.” The annex on specific EU actions then refers to “the Ecodesign legislation is a tool to not only save energy but also shape the durability, reparability, resource efficiency, reusability and recyclability of products. The Energy Label guides consumers towards the most efficient and sustainable products”.
– Regarding Circular Economy, the Communication reads on page 8 as follows: “The circular economy (SDG 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) offers a transformative agenda with significant new jobs and growth potential and stimulating sustainable consumption and production patterns. Focus on resource efficiency and minimising waste in a context of rapid global resource depletion gives the EU a competitive edge and stimulates innovation. It creates local jobs, at all skills levels and with opportunities for social integration. The transition to the circular economy offers a chance for Europe to modernise its economy, making it more future proof, green and competitive. The circular economy also contributes to lower carbon dioxide emission levels and energy savings as well as decreased air, soil and water pollution. Implementation of the 2015 circular economy action plan remains high on the agenda of the Commission as confirmed in the 2017 Work Programme. The monitoring framework for the circular economy in Europe will be ready in 2017. To scale up investment in the circular economy, a platform to support the financing of the circular economy will be established. Another new initiative in 2017 will be a comprehensive strategy on plastics to improve the economics, quality and uptake of plastic recycling and reuse and reducing (micro-)plastic leakage into the environment. It will help European industry to develop the plastics of the future, less dependent on fossil fuels and offering solutions for reducing global marine pollution (SDG 14). To promote safe reuse of treated wastewater, minimum requirements for reused water (SDG 6) will be set. Action on sustainable food systems and preventing food waste (SDG 12) will be taken through the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, to support the UN target of halving per capita global food waste by 2030. Targeted action is planned to facilitate food donation and the safe use of food not suited for human consumption for production of animal feed as well as more effective date marking on food.”
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