Environmental and socio-economic impacts of the circular economy transition in the EU plastics sector

The implementation of Circular Economy measures in the EU plastics sector has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75-84 Mt C02-eq. annually by 2050. CE measures can also significantly decrease EU consumption of fossil resources and energy, leading to a EUR 18 billion annual increase in the EU net trade balance, with significant imports reduction from the US, China, UK, and Russia. However, this may corne with certain trade-offs such as reduced employment and gross value added in the EU, which need to be further studied for more accurate assessments and potential mitigation measures. The study's findings are policy-relevant, highlighting the need for a holistic and policy mixing approach over the lifecycle of materials and products to capture the full potential of the CE, white informing EU policymakers on feasible strategies to support the plastics sector's sustainability transition.