Happy International Recycling Day from FEAD last week! Read on for European Council discussions among ministers on energy prices, a joint industry call for ‘Made in Europe’ recycled plastics, and more key developments high on the EU circularity agenda.
Recyclers call for ‘Made in Europe’ recycled content: On 18 March, FEAD, Plastics Recyclers Europe, Recycling Europe, Green Dot and Reloop sent a joint letter urging the Commission to apply a ‘Made in Europe’ approach to recycled plastic content targets.
European Council addresses energy prices and carbon market: EU leaders called on the Commission to present without delay a toolbox of targeted temporary measures to address the recent spikes in the prices of imported fossil fuels arising from the crisis in the Middle East at the 19 March European Council.
Environment Council discusses climate framework and backs bioeconomy strategy: On 17 March, the Environment Council, ministers exchanged views on post-2030 decarbonisation and adopted conclusions on the EU bioeconomy strategy. Several member states called for consolidating permitting rules under the environmental omnibus into a single cross-sector framework to reduce fragmentation and accelerate projects while maintaining high environmental standards.
FEAD, ECN and EBA call for compost and digestate recognition in carbon farming: On 16 March, FEAD, the European Compost Network and the European Biogas Association, in a joint press release called on the European Commission to recognise compost and digestate as eligible agricultural practices under carbon farming certification methodologies. Read FEAD’s full position paper here.
Commission launches consultation on post-2030 renewables framework: The European Commission published a call for evidence on 19 March on legislative amendments to the renewable energy framework beyond 2030.
Commission consults on taxonomy criteria: On 17 March, the Commission launched a feedback call on possible revisions to the criteria under the EU taxonomy, the classification system for sustainable economic activities aimed at simplifying the framework.
Delegations raise questions on Environmental Omnibus: On 16 March, Council working group comments and questions from multiple delegations, made public in March here, here and here, raised several issues regarding the Environmental Omnibus. The comments show broad scrutiny of the proposal to remove the obligation to appoint authorised representatives under EPR schemes. On 17 March, a joint industry statement supports suspending the authorised representative requirement on the grounds that it would reduce costs and cross-border barriers, especially for SMEs.
Industrial Accelerator Act consultation extended: The European Commission has extended its public consultation on the Industrial Accelerator Act until 15 May, allowing stakeholders additional time to provide input on the proposal.
Plastic treaty negotiations set for relaunch: On 16 March, Chair of the INC on Plastic Pollution Julio Cordano’s roadmap set out a plan to relaunch negotiations on the global plastics treaty with a new session targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.
ETS debate intensifies ahead of summit: On 16 March, the Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation set out an upcoming ETS ‘toolbox’ including possible changes to the market stability reserve, a bridging instrument financed by ETS revenues for energy-intensive industries, and a review of benchmark rules for free allocation. At the Energy Council on 16 March, ministers also reviewed the action plan for affordable energy, discussed short-term responses to high gas and oil prices, and were briefed on the grids package.
2040 climate target law published: On 18 March, the regulation amending the EU climate law to set a 2040 target was published in the Official Journal.
Commission launches bioeconomy investment group: On 10 March, the Commission opened a call for expressions of interest to join a European Investment Deployment Group for bio-based industries.
Green Assist opens advisory call: On 23 February, CINEA launched a new call under Green Assist for projects seeking support to strengthen green investments across Europe. The call details provide €3 million in tailored advisory services for SMEs developing and scaling sustainable investment projects, and the initiative is being implemented in coordination with the Enterprise Europe Network.
France launches first chemical recycling plant:TotalEnergies announced on 19 March the start of operations at France’s first chemical recycling plant in Grandpuits, developed in partnership with Plastic Energy.
