Monday 17 July 2023
Brussels
About
Our high-level event was centred around the launch of the new report “Embracing circularity: A pathway for strengthening the Critical Raw Materials Act” on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The report is authored by CLG Europe’s Taskforce for Climate Neutral and Circular Materials and Products, in association with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
Watch the event
Circularity is vital for the EU to achieve its climate neutrality target, requiring increased implementation of circular practices across all sectors of the economy. Whilst the CRMA has a target of 15% on recycling, far more can be done to embrace the power of circularity.
Circularity is far more than just recycling - it also involves looking at how to keep the value of materials in the system more effectively and for longer. The report maintains that this aspect of circularity is not addressed by the current CRMA proposal.
Centring around three key materials - aluminium (bauxite and magnesium), lithium and rare earth elements (REE), the report builds on evidence-based research. It includes circular case studies from businesses such as Ball and Volvo Cars and provides recommendations to policymakers.
The event provided a space for key stakeholders from industry, academia, the European Union and NGOs to discuss the potential measures to harness the power of circularity. During the event, several notable individuals delivered their insights on circularity strategies and the significance of the report in advancing discussions on circularity and CRMA.
Among them was MEP Sara Matthieu, the event's host, who emphasized the importance of the report's role in driving forward the discussion on circularity and CRMA. Another key participant was MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen, who kicked off a compelling discussion among policymakers regarding the strategic utilization of replacing and reusing CRMs. George Morsdorff from the European Commission also highlighted the Commission's role in coordinating efforts among Member States concerning CRMs.
CLG Europe’s Taskforce on Climate Neutral and Circular Materials and Products is a group of progressive businesses across sectors and value chains. Our objective is to drive the development, implementation and support of more ambitious, future-proof policies, programmes, and initiatives in Europe to create an ecosystem that more rapidly shifts away from the energy and resource-intensive production of materials to materials that are produced without using fossil fuels or emitting greenhouse gases (GHG) as by-products.
The Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy is a German research institution for sustainability research concentrating on impacts and practical application. It explores and develops models, strategies, and instruments to support sustainable development at local, national, and international levels.
This event was hosted in the European Parliament by Sara Matthieu MEP, Shadow Rapporteur, ENVI Committee on the CRMA and was attended by 40 people in person and 433 online – 125 via GoToWebinar and 308 via LinkedIn Live.
Speakers included:
- Martin Porter, Executive Chair, CISL Brussels
- Michael Ritthoff, Senior Researcher, Wuppertal Institute
- MEP Matthieu, European Parliament
- MEP Pietikäinen, European Parliament (joining online)
- George Mörsdorf, Policy Officer (DG GROW), European Commission
- Céline Domecq, Director Public Affairs EU, Volvo cars
- Olivia Lazard, Fellow, Carnegie Europe (joining online)
- Rafael Jaimes Contreras, Industry & Society 5.0 Business Developer International Affairs, Wallonia Export & Investment Agency
- Helge Haakon Refsum, Director, Business Development at Hydro Batteries and Board Member of Vianode