{"id":103408,"date":"2021-02-10T09:37:41","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T08:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=103408"},"modified":"2021-02-11T12:15:07","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T11:15:07","slug":"european-parliament-demands-first-ever-eu-targets-to-reduce-over-consumption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/de\/european-parliament-demands-first-ever-eu-targets-to-reduce-over-consumption\/","title":{"rendered":"European Parliament demands first-ever EU targets to reduce over-consumption"},"content":{"rendered":"

MEPs confirm push for targets to reduce resource use by 2030 and bring EU consumption within planet<\/span>ary boundaries by 2050<\/span> \u2013 an unprecedented move that could help Europe transition to a more resilient and less wasteful economy.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

MEPs are looking to further accelerate Europe\u2019s push against the throwaway economy, following a key plenary vote in the European Parliament last night.<\/p>\n

Amongst other amendments, lawmakers called for the introduction of two legally binding targets to significantly reduce the EU\u2019s material and consumption footprints by 2030. The targets would help curb Europe\u2019s consumption and material footprints, bringing consumption and production patterns within planetary boundaries by 2050.<\/p>\n

The vote confirms the position of the Parliament\u2019s environment committee, which introduced the amendments two weeks ago. The European Commission will now have to take into consideration the demands of MEPs with a view to updating its Circular Economy Action Plan<\/a> put forward\u00a0last year.<\/p>\n

Hailed as one of the pillars of the European Green Deal, the Commission\u2019s proposal for the action plan was already praised for supporting sustainability and durability in the design of textiles, electronics, packaging, batteries, and other products.<\/p>\n

MEPs also called for the absolute <\/em>reduction of resource consumption, questioning the Commission\u2019s arguments for green growth <\/em>as a strategy for sustainability<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Parliament\u2019s stance significantly improves this strategy, according to Stephane Arditi<\/strong>, Director of Policy Integration and Circular Economy at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB). He said:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cLegally binding targets to reduce material use and consumption are badly needed. They were the main missing piece of the puzzle in the European Commission\u2019s proposal.<\/em><\/p>\n

If approved by the Commission and member states without delays, the targets can play a central role in Europe\u2019s green recovery, helping citizens, businesses and governments save valuable and limited resources.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Despite being the very first legally binding targets addressing over-consumption at EU level, the Netherlands and Finland have already adopted similar measures.<\/p>\n

Other notable amendments approved by Parliament this week push for:<\/p>\n