DEAR READER
Another year, full of challenges, difficult moments but also luckily sometimes great results is near its end. It was a year of crucial importance for EXPRA and its members as the discussions about the new CEP evolved and finally the proposal of the European Commission, that will mark our work for the next 15 years and beyond, was published.
But then we could say that the whole year worldwide/globally was the Year of Sustainability: In September, in New York, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was announced, aiming to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets of the Agenda are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental. Then on 12 December, a historic agreement to combat climate change and unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future was agreed by 195 nations at the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21). The Paris Agreement for the first time brought all nations into a common cause based on their historic, current and future responsibilities, namely to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
And I am happy to say that with our work we significantly contribute to the preservation of natural resources. And this is not only work, but also our mission as all of us believe in what we do: save resources and care for the environment, without making a profit out of it.
At European level, almost one year after withdrawing the Circular Economy package, the Commission kept its promise and published the new Circular Economy package on 2 December. As you know, EXPRA actively participated in the process as one of the key stakeholders and I think that we can see a lot of positive proposals, especially concerning the Extended Producer Responsibility in it, that are also based on our common efforts and input. Still there is a lot of work ahead for EXPRA members, and especially for our Working Groups, which will further assess the waste legislative proposal and of course provide EC, EP and Council experts with accurate and detailed data, further share our experience and generally continue to be useful partners in the entire process.
With the forthcoming co-decision procedure, I can assure you that EXPRA will remain actively involved in the discussions and we will continue to share our thorough knowledge and experience in end-of-life management of packaging with the European Institutions and other major stakeholders.
And last but not least I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Enjoy your reading!