National Circular Economy Strategy.

Circular economy can play a catalytic role for productive reconstruction and has a clear regional dimension. It is based on the rational use of resources, the concept of recycling-reuse and the industrial symbiosis model. Greece has great potential for implementing this productive/economic model for numerous reasons, such as: natural resources available and untapped secondary resources and waste; scientific workforce and expertise as well as productive tradition and know-how in technical trades; a primary sector with growth potential that requires modernisation and reduction of production costs; low indices of resource and energy productivity and a strategic framework available by the EU and available financing tools. The basic contents of the public policy on circular economy are: Financing tools (1); Planning and enactment of a regulatory framework and rules, as well as removal of bureaucratic obstacles (2); Connection of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship and social economy to technological innovation and the development and support of pilot/demonstration actions of circular economy (3) and Improvement of governance and networking, and acceleration of relevant procedures (4).
A transition to circular economy provides comparative competitive advantages. It reinforces the prospects for long-term viability and competitiveness of the economy, helps saving scarce raw materials for a longer period of time and it provides new jobs and adopts consumer trends towards environmentally friendly products. The Policy provides for actions undertaken by Ministries, which could be used in the implementation of Circular Economy strategies including research and innovation, committee on Green Public Contracts, establishment of a group for the prevention of food waste and partnership on circular economy. The pillars of the National Strategy for Circular Economy are sustainable Resource Management, support of Circular Economy and Circular Consumption. The Policy provides for the main goals of the strategy till 2030 including integrating the criteria for ecological planning, effective implementation of prioritisation of waste management, improving energy efficiency, promotion innovative forms of consumptions, facilitation of tools for exchange of information and highlighting the significance of shifting from linear to circular economy.
The Policy further provides on the operational action plan for circular economy in the fields of regulatory and legislative reforms, financing and financial incentives, improvement of knowledge and support of circular economy and networking governance. Investing in circular economy, energy efficiency and facing climate change may become a lever for changing the Greek productive model, thus reversing the prevalent trends of de-investment, while also promoting new investment and creating new jobs throughout the supply chain of industrial products. The Policy consists of 6 Sections as follow: Circular Economy in the Greek Productive System (1); Compatibility with the Development Plan (2); Actions by Ministers to Date and Coordination Potential (3); Policy Axes for a Circular Economy (4); Operational Action Plan for Circular Economy (5); and Conclusion (6).