Facts on circular economy in the EU & worldwide: what, where, who & how

1. Introduction

According to analyses of the International Resource Panel (IRP) of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), humans consume more goods and services than what is sustainable in terms of non-renewable resources.

This supports the need for increasing the efficiency with which the economy uses these natural resources and prevent future shortages in raw materials, something that is not only an environmental issue but is vital to the long-term viability of humanity.