1. DG Environment, Unit D.2 Marine Environment and Water Industry
Towards a circular economy:
A zero waste and 30% less marine litter programme for Europe
MSCG meeting, November 2014

2. Towards a circular economy for Europe:
policy context
Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
Resource Efficiency Flagship Initiative
+ its mid-term review
COM on taking stock of the Europe 2020 Strategy: pressure on resources and environmental concerns identified as one of the long-term trends affecting growth
Public consultation
7th Environment Action Programme
thematic objective to turn the EU into a resource-efficient, green and competitive low-carbon economy 2

3. Circular Economy Communication
An enabling framework:
Design, Innovation, Investment, Business and Consumer Action
Waste Policy and Targets Review
Resource Efficiency Target
Specific Waste Challenges, incl. Marine Litter
European Resource Efficiency Platform Recommendations
Waste legislative proposals
Green employment Initiative
Analysis of Impacts
Green Action Plan for SMEs
Sustainable buildings COM
Waste Impact Assessment
Progress Report on the Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe
Sustainable food
Waste Fitness Check

4. Setting a marine litter reduction target
The 7th EAP calls for a Union-wide quantitative headline reduction target supported by source-based measures
Full implementation of the proposed measures in the revised EU waste legislation package could deliver marine litter reductions of 13 % by 2020 and 27 % by 2030
Setting a dedicated reduction target for 2020 would give a clear signal to Member States currently developing their MSFD Programme of Measures
Furthermore, it would provide an impetus for the development and implementation of marine litter action plans within the four Regional Sea Conventions

5. Setting a marine litter reduction target
On such basis, the Commission proposed an aspirational target of :
reducing marine litter by 30 % by 2020 for the ten most common types of litter found on beaches (list adapted to each of the four marine regions in the EU) as well as for fishing gear found at sea

6. Setting a marine litter reduction target
Other EU-level measures, incorporating inter alia the results of the ongoing evaluation of the Port Reception Facilities Directive, will also contribute to the achievement of the target.
A second stage of the reduction target will be developed in due time, based on further analysis of the reduction potential from other land- and sea-based sources,
Such revised target will contribute to fulfilling the commitment made at Rio+20 to achieve significant marine litter reductions by 2025.

7. Possible next steps
Closer definition of the baseline in the EU marine regions
Creating/exploiting synergies with existing/future regional plans against marine litter
Discuss possibilities for monitoring of and reporting on progress towards achievement of the aspirational target
Consider this target in the ongoing revision of the GES Decision

8. Possible next steps
Filling knowledge gaps and elaborating options for tackling also other sources (e.g. wastewater effluents, acquaculture, storm overflows) or forms (e.g. microplastics) of marine litter
Strengthen and communicate the organic link of marine litter with the resource efficiency agenda
Coming up with a revised target by 2025

9. Thank you for your attention!