What role for the CAP in making agriculture part of the EU circular economy?

Abstract

The concept of circular economy has been gaining in popularity and interest among both scholars and policymakers. It is an alternative to today’s linear system and it focuseson reducing waste and minimizing the use of resources. The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges related to agricultural transformation towards circular economy, andto analyze the scope and nature of solutions that could be used under the CAP to support the integration of EU agriculture into the circular economy system. The study is based on a review of papers on circular economy (CE). The review enabled identifying the particularities of CE which showed the potential role for the CAP in implementing CE in agriculture. The conclusions from the research indicate that CAP instruments currently in place have a limited potential to support the adaptation of agriculture to the circular economy. However, it is possible to modify the support criteria so that they stimulate the integration of the EU agricultural sector into the economy model implemented in the EU. However, to accelerate this process, it is necessary to introduce more effective instruments in providing ecosystem services and mechanisms of cooperation with the industry.

Circularity by design: governance landscape of the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam

“…Its weak linkage to circular economy has also been criticized. CAP instruments are considered to have only limited potential to support transformation of food production to the circular economy and CAP is perceived more as a barrier than a catalyst for a circular economy (Wieliczko, 2019).…”

From Circular Economy to Circular Society

“…In this context, several academics have stressed the need to further investigate the EU's interpretation and implementation of the CE concept (Colombo et al, 2019;Fitch-Roy et al, 2020;Foschi and Bonoli, 2019;Krämer, 2019;Pollex and Lenschow, 2018;Rijnhout et al, 2018). While various articles have looked at specific aspects of the EU's CE policies (Baran, 2020;Colombo et al, 2019;Elliott et al, 2020;Farmer, 2020;Fitch-Roy et al, 2020 and Bonoli, 2019; K. Kirchherr et al, 2018;Knill et al, 2020;Krämer, 2019;Lazarevic and Valve, 2017;McDowall et al, 2017;Milios, 2018;Moraga et al, 2019;Pollex and Lenschow, 2018;Repo et al, 2018;Steenmans, 2019;Talens Peiró et al, 2020;Völker et al, 2020;Wieliczko, 2019) (2020). Finally, the discussion reflects on these results and develops recommendations from the perspective of other circularity visions.…”

“…In fact, biodiversity is continuously decreasing throughout the EU due to the destruction of habitats, the rise in artificial surfaces, the impacts of industrial agriculture and the gross overexploitation of marine resources (Krämer, 2019). A review of the Common Agricultural Policy is key to reduce this trend, especially if a holistic approach is taken that subsidises farmers based on the social and ecological services they provide to their communities rather than based on the size of their farms (De Schutter, 2019;Frantzeskaki et al, 2019;Scown et al, 2020;Wieliczko, 2019). Setting mandatory targets to reduce food waste and promoting healthier plant-based diets are also key in this regard as food waste and meat production have significant impacts on climate change and biodiversity (Allen and Hof, 2019;Niles et al, 2018;Springmann et al, 2018;Stoll-Kleemann and Schmidt, 2017;Vita et al, 2019).…”