News and events published on the EcoAP Community Platform

• News - "New public-private innovation initiative for green energy technologies launched at Paris climate conference."
• New event - "Transport Research Arena Conference 2016 (TRA 2016)"
• New event - "‘Smart Cities’ – Exhibition and Conference for South-East Europe"
• News - "New report on Urban Indicators for Sustainable Cities"
• News - "Business leaders call on governments to support eco-innovation at Paris Climate Conference"

The European Commission published its eagerly awaited package of circular economy measures on 2 December. The package includes a range of legislative and non-legislative initiatives encompassing waste management, ecodesign, waste reduction, promotion of reuse and financing for circular-economy related research. The proposals will affect in particular municipalities and private companies that deal with waste management, and more broadly will have a wider economic effect by promoting ecodesign and resource reuse in production processes.

The Club of Rome think tank, which works on international political issues, published a study in October entitled “Circular economy and benefits for society”. According to the scenarios in the study, a more circular economy can create significant numbers of jobs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Anders Wijkman, one of the study’s authors, discussed issues raised by the study. Wijkman is a co-president of the Club of Rome and a former member of the European Parliament and of the Swedish Parliament.

The town of Wiltz in northern Luxembourg has been designated a circular economy testbed as part of a government of Luxembourg initiative to promote environmental and economic sustainability. The initiative in Wiltz follows on from the December 2014 publication by the Luxembourg Economy Ministry of a study on the potential for the circular economy in the Grand Duchy. The study found that medium-term savings of €300 million to €1 billion per year could be achieved for Luxembourg companies, and 2200 jobs could be created, if circular economy principles are rigorously implemented in Luxembourg.