Last year the European Union approved its 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP), which sets out the priorities of environmental policymaking in the EU for 2014-2020.

Entitled ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’, the programme focuses on ensuring a “healthy environment and resource efficient economy for human well-being”.

According to the EEA, this drive will require a new approach to the way resources are used in the EU and will include improving recycling rates and waste treatment.

As part of the theme, several concepts will frame EEA work throughout 2014 such as the ‘circular economy,’ in which waste is seen as an important resource to be fed back into the human economy.

Another is the ‘green economy’, interpreted as an economic system which simultaneously uses resources more efficiently, enhances human well-being and maintains natural systems.

The EEA says work will focus on what these concepts mean for Europe in practice, including the longer-term transitions needed to realise them.

EEA executive director said: “The programme is built around the essential message that living well within the boundaries of our planet should be the goal of how we deal with environmental and climate issues in Europe”.

If you’re looking to become more resource efficient and join the circular economy download our Resource Revolution Blueprint for Action here

Leigh Stringer

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