Commissioner Addresses Italian Senators on Circular Economy : Karmenu Vella: Italy Well Placed to Lead Way on Circular Economy

Following the agreements on the EU Circular Economy Package and COP21, Karmenu Vella yesterday told the Environment and European Committees of the Chamber of Deputies at the Italian Senate that Italy is well placed to play a leading role in the shift to a circular economy.

Vella, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, stressed three key points:

That the Commission's Circular Economy Package is a very strong proposal that delivers economically as well as environmentally

That in a "post COP 21" world we have to make a shift to a more Circular Economy

That Italy is very well placed to play a leading role in this shift.

“Our legislative proposal on waste acknowledges a hard truth: Waste in the EU could be better managed,” he said. “Only 36% is effectively recycled. 37% is sent for disposal in landfills or on lands. This doesn’t just mean environmental damage. It means economic damage. It is a waste of precious resource that the EU cannot afford to lose.”

According to Vella the legislative package allows for a shift and gives support to public and private actors across the EU to develop long-term investment strategies – and is being backed with funding and financial instruments.

“This will allow our entrepreneurs the creative space to focus on prevention, re-use and recycling,” he said.

“Our studies show that ambitious waste prevention, eco-design, re use and similar measures could bring net savings of € 600 billion,” continued Vella. “That is 8 % of the annual turnover for businesses in the EU. And it would also benefit our climate because it reduces annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2% to 4%.”

Vella argued that the transition to a circular economy, in Italy and across the EU, will require not just innovation, but also investors.

“Most of the effort for a successful circular economy will need to come from the private sector,” he said “Some innovative companies may be small, others might want to venture into new business models As a result, some of the circular economy investments may be perceived as risky.”

To ensure that new initiatives and new circular economy projects do not fall by the wayside, Vella noted that Commission’s is proposals for a range of support measures. For example, under Horizon 2020 a €650 million initiative called 'Industry 2020 in the circular economy' is intended to support innovative, large-scale demonstration projects.

However, he added that more needs to be done to channel private sector funding towards these new opportunities.

“Let me also stress the importance of the new Italian law on the green economy, the Collegato ambientale, which just entered into force,” said Vella.

“This can be a model for other Member States. The synergy between this law and the Commission package should be highlighted to public authorities at regional and local levels,” he continued. “As they are involved in its implementation, this would maximise the impact of both initiatives.”

The Commissioner went to note examples such as Contarina in Treviso as great success stories which show it is possible to reach very good results, in a short time.

“The task now is to do this on a national scale,” he continued. “Our estimates are that if Italy implements fully current legislation, and moves to the proposed targets to increase recycling and reduce landfilling, thousands of direct jobs can be created.”

“Honourable Members, waste management is often seen as a problem, as a cost. But it is also the potential that you have right in your hands. Do not miss this opportunity,” concluded Vella.

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