On 17 July 2024, the Catalan government launched the Roadmap for the Circular Economy in Catalonia (Full de Ruta de l’Economia Circular a Catalunya, FRECC), highlighting its push for sustainable development. The event brought together key figures from various sectors to share insights on the transition.
Mr Oriol Amat Salas, a financial economics professor at Pompeu Fabra University, and Mr Isaac Peraire i Soler, director of the Waste Agency of Catalonia (ARC), kicked off the session. They emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Mrs Mireia Cañellas from the Department of Climate Action, Food, and Rural Agenda outlined the FRECC’s strategic actions. These include support for businesses shifting to circular practices, initiatives in employment and education, eco-design, green procurement, and industrial symbiosis. The detailed Action Plan 2024-2026 is available here.
The first roundtable discussed actions by the Generalitat de Catalunya. Mrs Pilar Chiva from the ARC talked about industrial symbiosis, Mr Miquel Carrión from the Public Employment Service stressed sustainability training, and Mrs Helena Ferreiro from the Department of Education discussed integrating circular economy concepts into curricula. Key initiatives mentioned included the “Pact for Sustainable Fashion” (pacte per la moda circular) and the STEAMCAT initiative.
The second roundtable, led by Mrs Ana Garcia Molina, president of the Economy and Sustainability Commission, featured external contributions. Mr Jaume Puig from PIMEC highlighted sustainable practices in the private sector, Mrs Josefina Antonijuan from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) discussed circular initiatives in higher education, and Mr Enric Coll from the Network of Cities and Towns towards Sustainability presented collaborative efforts with city councils on circularity and green procurement.
Mrs Mireia Boya i Busquet, Director General of Climate Change and Environmental Quality, closed the event by reaffirming Catalonia’s commitment to the circular economy. The session ended with a coffee networking opportunity for stakeholders.
The agenda of the presentation can be found here.
