The circular economy saves resources, reduces pollution, promotes innovation, reduces the cost of production and creates new jobs. Combating climate change, promoting climate-neutral growth and involving all citizens in the process are some of the conclusions from the conference ‘Circular Economy, Employment and Digitization in the Light of the Conference on the Future of Europe’, organized by the Serbian Ministry of European Integration and Chamber of Commerce.
Introductory addresses were given by EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret, Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimović, Minister of Labour and Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Darija Kisić Tepavčević, French Ambassador Pierre Košar, Coordinator of the National Convention Natasa Dragojlović and Mihajlo Vesović, advisor to the president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
“This conference comes about a month after we launched an investment package worth 3.2 billion euros to support 21 projects in the field of transport, digital data, climate and energy in the Western Balkans. This is the first large package under the Economic and Investment Plan, which will mobilize up to 30 billion euros of investment as a combination of grants, preferential loans and guarantees”, said Ambassador Giaufret in his introductory speech.
“The European Commission adopted the New Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) in March 2020. This is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Agreement, a new European plan for sustainable growth that we are also coordinating with partners in the Western Balkans. The EU’s transition to a circular economy will reduce the pressure on natural resources and create sustainable growth and jobs. It is also a condition for achieving the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and halting the loss of biodiversity. We want to help the Western Balkans cope with future systemic shocks, build faster and more sustainable ties, decarbonise the economy, ensure a secure energy supply that can ease a growing economy, create sustainable business opportunities and provide conditions for society to thrive”, concluded Giaufret.
The path to a circular economy is not easy and innovation is necessary, but also the responsibility both of economic entities and of all social actors who need to participate in this process. Everyone has a role, local governments should establish a legislative framework, civil society and citizens should accept and participate in the transformation, and businesspeople should apply technologies and production models that will contribute to preserving the environment, the conference concluded.
Photo: europa.rs