On 26 January, the European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) has  approved the Huitema report on the circular economy – yet another step to turn the Green Deal into a reality. 

The Commission's action plan closely reflects many of the priorities raised by the Renew group, explains (full statement) rapporteur Jan Huitema (VVD, NL): "The transition into a circular economy is an economic opportunity that we should grab with both hands. Europe is not a resource-rich continent, but we have the skills, the know-how and the innovation power to develop the technologies necessary to close loops and build a waste-free society. This will create jobs and economic growth and bring us closer to reaching our climate goals. A classic win-win."

The ENVI committee asked the European Commission to table the necessary legislation, with binding 2030 targets, in its report adopted by 66 votes to six, with seven abstentions. Its position on the EU executive’s new circular economy action plan (CEAP) is in line with a cross-party compromise hammered out ahead of the vote.”   Quite interesting for our sector the following AM: Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 b (new) "Emphasises the potential of a sustainable bio-economy and a sustainable forest-based sector; stresses the importance of the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy and Biodiversity Strategies to improve circularity by the replacement, where environmentally beneficial and sustainable – including for biodiversity, taking into account the increasing demand of bio-materials – of fossil materials with renewable, bio-based materials;" See page 22 of the adopted Report.