CHINA: China and Europe agreed on the development of the circular economy

The recently presented plan outlines the joint efforts of the EU and China to implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the union and the world’s most populous country on the circular economy.

With a focus on plastics, battery value chains and remanufacturing, the roadmap outlines specific actions to be taken, including ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty.

The roadmap, whose implementation is planned for 2024, will be reviewed at the upcoming dialogue on the circular economy.

Virginius Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized the global importance of the transition to a circular economy. He pointed out the role of the road map in achieving progress in the field of sustainable development and in promoting new opportunities for production and consumption.

At the World Circular Economy Forum, Florica Fink-Heuer, Director-General of Environment, met with Zhao Chenxing, Vice-Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, to explore the prospects for circular economy cooperation. During their meeting, they reached a consensus on the implementation of the roadmap.

An introductory workshop on moving towards a circular economy for plastics is currently planned in the EU and China, scheduled for May 2024.

Various aspects will be discussed at this meeting, including design approaches, single-use plastics measures and advances in bio-based materials.

Follow-up workshops on battery value chains and remanufacturing are planned for later in 2024.

Against the backdrop of the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental pollution, China and the EU recognize the need to promote sustainable development pathways. The circular economy is a key strategy for achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2050, mitigating biodiversity loss and fighting pollution.

The two entities reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation during the inaugural High Level Political Dialogue on the Circular Economy. This commitment extends to the extension of Memorandum of Understanding for five years and jointly develop a Circular Economy Roadmap to guide joint efforts.

7 March 2025

IRELAND: Irish fintech increased almost 300% in 2024

2024 was a positive year for the Irish fintech market, with funding reaching $237.95 million across 25 deals; this was a significant increase (291%) compared to last year were $60.83 million was raised

Read More
26 June 2025

US: Democrats press Pfizer, J&J and others over low tax bills and lobbying as Senate debates Trump’s plan

Two Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday pressed five of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies about their low tax bills and whether they support extending massive tax cuts for the industry

Read More
19 June 2024

US: Younger Investors Prefer Crypto, Private Equity, and Hard Assets to U.S. Stocks, Study Finds

Wealthy, younger investors have a very different view of the best way to invest than their older peers, preferring real estate, cryptocurrencies and digital assets, and private equity to U.S. stocks,

Read More
1 November 2024

HONG KONG: Hong Kong unveils rules for ‘responsible’ AI use as it gets ahead of disruptive technology

Hong Kong’s government outlined its first guidelines on the “responsible” use of artificial intelligence (AI) and embraced blockchain, as regulators strive to get ahead of the technological revolution

Read More