NOVEMBER 2025

Dear ECOS subscriber,

The circular economy model is fundamentally a virtuous cycle that can drive competitive, innovative markets while simultaneously protecting the environment and reducing resource dependency. That’s why we are calling on EU leaders to include the essential environmental angle in the legal basis for the EU’s Circular Economy Act – learn more in our joint letter.

This month we reviewed the EU’s Bioeconomy Strategy, which prioritises EU competitiveness but falls short on building a resilient EU bioeconomy. We also published a new factsheet on standards that underpin global trade rules for raw materials and touch on deforestation, water, biodiversity, and human rights. Looking ahead to December, we write about expectations for the next United Nations Environment Assembly.

In this newsletter, we also have open calls for experts, as well as a vacancy on our Energy Transition team – plus all the usual updates out international networks of members and partners.

Dual legal basis for EU Circular Economy Act

Over 50 businesses and organisations have written to EU leaders to express strong concern that the legal basis of the Circular Economy Act could be solely built on the Internal Market. A dual legal basis, that incorporates environmental protection, would accurately reflect the true, dual nature of a circular economy.

UNEA-7: Shaping an ambitious global environmental agenda

The United Nations Environment Assembly will bring together UN Member States. The ECOS team in Brussels and Nairobi call for stronger environmental ambition – but what can we expect? In our latest blog we look at the environmental potential of two resolutions - sustainable use of AI and sound management of chemicals and waste.

Trading raw materials responsibly

Global trade rules on raw materials are underpinned by standards. Only by including civil society, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples in drafting standards can they protect against greenwashing, unfair competition, and low ambition. Trade rules and related standards must be worthy of people and planet.

EU Bioeconomy Strategy hides old mistakes in new branding

The newly revised EU Bioeconomy Strategy proposes measures that will address nature loss – but it will not be enough. The Strategy frames nature as an instrument for EU competitiveness, with too few sustainability safeguards in place to make the bioeconomy resilient in the long-term.

• Indirect Cost Compensation reform risks diverting Emissions Trading Scheme revenues from climate action
• EU Circular Economy Act: Essential need for a dual legal basis
• Delivering an EU Circular Economy Act that works
• A review of standards for measuring soil organic carbon

Get involved with ECOS

Programme Manager – Energy Transition

We are looking for a highly motivated Programme Manager to drive our work towards ambitious policies and standards on the energy transition including hydrogen, batteries, methane, and AI.

Deadline: 8 December 2025

Learn more and apply

Call for experts - Bioeconomy and nature

We are seeking experts in fields related to bioeconomy and nature, such as forestry or agriculture – including food/feed, bioenergy, or biomaterials.

Deadline: 1 February 2026

Apply today

Are antimicrobials the new PFAS?

Arlene Blum of Green Science Policy Institute recently joined the Outdoor Minimalist podcast to discuss “Are antimicrobials the new PFAS?”, drawing parallels between high altitude mountaineering and reducing chemical harm, the class concept, and antimicrobials.

Smoke screen: the growing PHEV emissions scandal

A recent analysis by Transport & Environment found that plug-in hybrid cars pollute almost as much as petrol cars – they even took one out for a spin to see why they're so difficult to drive ecologically.

Rethink Plastic provides feedback on the Circular Economy Act

The Rethink Plastic alliance is advocating for an EU Circular Economy Act that truly rises to the challenge and reflects the urgent need to reduce, reuse and recycle materials but also accurately reflects the waste hierarchy with strong measures on waste prevention and reuse, while ensuring material loops are toxic-free.

Leveraging Europe’s Single Market to accelerate the circular transition

The Buy Better to Build Better Coalition - forward-thinking stakeholders from industry, public authorities and civil society - have provided their feedback to the EU’s upcoming Circular Economy Act, with recommendations built on proven approaches to support a prosperous Single Market. The construction sector is positioned to benefit from robust circular practices.

Smart Grids Europe 2025

8 December - Frankfurt, Germany

Say hello to Senior Programme Manager Luka De Bruyckere, who will speak in a panel on practical strategies for incorporating smart solutions and DER in existing power systems. Future-proof standards are needed to unlock residential demand-side flexibility, so consumers can easily add new devices that work together to optimise the energy flow.