Open Data and the Circular Economy
Publication Date/Time
2020-04-29T07:00:00+00:00
Country
Europe
Open data insights can improve decision-making regarding food
production, use of resources and reducing pollution
The European Union has made the decision to move away from the
traditional economic model (take-make-consume-waste), which thrived
during the industrial revolution, to the circular economic model
[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits]
in 2015. The circular economic model
[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits]
is based on the reuse of resources (e.g. products, materials), the
regeneration of natural systems and to reduce waste and pollution. In
other words, the circular process of the natural living world is
adopted in the economy to reduce the negative impact on the
environment and the health of all living organisms. The model can be
divided in the biological cycle (e.g. designing of compostable
packaging) and the technological cycle (e.g. reuse of phone parts).
Thereby, the circular economy is dependent on cultural change. For
example, subscriptions to services or products (e.g. ridesharing) are
better adjusted to the circular economy than the traditional ownership
of services or products (e.g. ownership of a car).   

THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN EUROPE

The European Commission has adopted a New Circular Economy Action Plan
[https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm],
which is one of the main corner stones of the European Green Deal
[https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en],
as of 11th March 2020. Open data can provide solutions to achieve the
goals of the new strategy by improving decision-making based on data
insights.

Building on the initial plans of 2015, the new strategy focuses on the
design and production for a circular economy, with the aim to ensure
that the resources used are kept in the EU economy for as long as
possible.

According to the European Commission, the New Circular Economy Action
Plan [https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm]
presents measures to:

 	* Make sustainable products the norm in the EU;
 	* Empower consumers and public buyers;
 	* Focus on the sectors that use most resources and where the
potential for circularity is high such as: electronics and ICT,
batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction
and buildings, food, water and nutrients;
 	* Ensure less waste;
 	* Make circularity work for people, regions, and cities;
 	* Lead global efforts on circular economy.

Stakeholders can submit feedback through the public consultation
[https://cor.europa.eu/en/events/Pages/New-Circular-Economy-Action-Plan.aspx?_cldee=YWxpb25hLmZvcm5lYUBjb3IuZXVyb3BhLmV1&recipientid=contact-b1cff0455cf2e4118a29005056a05119-24191f8d394649c7b907bdaf31bb2b7f&esid=76b7b5ac-1378-ea11-8116-005056a043ea]
on the New Circular Economy Action Plan until 1 MAY. This deadline
provides time to incorporate any feedback related to the COVID-19
pandemic.

OPEN DATA AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Insights provided through open data can improve the decision-making of
the efficient use of resources as data can predict certain trends
(e.g. market, weather, demographics) of future supply and demand.
Below are three examples:

 	* Sustainable food system: Open data insights can improve
efficiency, solve logistical issues and protect food security in the
agricultural sector. Thereby, optimal inventory levels can be drawn
from data insights in order to reduce (food) waste. Open data on food
production, distribution, temperature changes, rising water levels,
biodiversity logging and deforestation mapping can improve strategic
decision-making to regulate supply and demand in the agricultural
sector across Europe. For example, open data research from Smartchain
[https://www.smartchain-h2020.eu/] is aimed at developing a shorter
food supply chain.  
 	* Management of resources and optimizing waste: Insights from
(geographical) open data can improve the recycling process of waste.
Especially the process of waste separate collection and using the full
capacity of the recycling plants can be improved with (open) data
insights. Open data is available on the rates of waste and recycling
on the municipality level. According to studies
[http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/410191559670657041/From-Theory-to-Practice-Open-Government-Data-Accountability-and-Service-Delivery]
from the World Bank, these open datasets create awareness and
(government) accountability. This open data is used to improve
strategic decision-making on the division of resources and efficient
use of recycling plants.
 	* Reducing pollution: Open data on (air) pollution has increased
awareness on polluted cities and associated health risks. Increased
advocacy and awareness have resulted in more research on air pollution
in cities in Europe (London, Berlin). Open data on pollution and
public health can improve the decision-making process in order to
protect the health of EU citizens and the environment. For example,
governments and municipalities have taken increasing preventive
measures, such as the recent halt to the expansion of the Heathrow
airport [https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51658693] next to London.

THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND COVID-19

During the COVID-19 medical alert, the European Commission has been
focusing on keeping the green lanes for waste open so that it can be
shipped without delay and can become a resource for another industry.
This shipment is essential to maintain Europe’s health – socially
and economically –, the natural environment, and to keep the
circular economy moving ahead.

To continue support the European economy, it is vital to reduce
possible obstacles to cross-border movements of waste within the EU
caused by the virus. The goal is to ensure a common approach to
securing the continuation of waste shipments across the EU while
maintaining a high level of protection of public health and the
environment in the exceptional circumstances created by the
coronavirus outbreak. In terms of restarting the economy after the
lockdowns, the EU plans to continue following the circular economy
guidelines and is aiming to install a carbon-low economic model.

 

For more information or examples on open data and the circular
economy, explore the European Data Portal’s (EDP) news archive
[/en/news-events/news]. Aware of open data and circular economy
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