No time to waste
Cohesion Funds programming for a resource-efficient Europe
The aim of this policy analysis is to directly link the European Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) and the new Cohesion Policy Regulation by understanding the Resource Efficient Europe Initiative.The Resource Efficiency Initiative, which consists of the Resource Efficiency Flagship Initiative, the Resource Efficiency Roadmap and a European Parliament resolution, urges Member States to ensure full implementation of European waste legislation, including minimum goals for waste reduction through national waste management plans and strategies. It additionally mphasises that current goals for separate waste collection have to be further developed and that highest standards for material recovery have to be set. The Resolution also underlines the need for EU funds financing for the activities higher up the waste hierarchy as defined in the Waste Framework Directive (where the priority is given to recycling rather than investments in landfills or incinerators). It also gives guidelines to the European Commission showing that there is a need for corrections and alignment of the calculation methodology and waste statistics in order to build a reliable basis for promotion and implementation of recycling in the European Union.
