Jumpstarting the circular economy in Croatia
The Environment Agency Austria strengthens authorities in laying the foundations for EU-compliant waste management
Croatia faces considerable challenges in the next few years in trying to implement the EU’s waste directives and to integrate the circular economy into national strategies and programmes. Half of the paper, metal, plastic and glass waste should be recycled already. By 2035, 65 % of the total waste generated will have to be collected separately and waste sent to landfill will have to be reduced to 10% of the waste generated. To achieve these goals, the Croatian authorities will use expertise from Austria.
Key aspects of the cooperation
The Environment Agency Austria advises the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, on behalf of the World Bank, on the transformation of the national waste management system and the transition to a circular economy. Between now and February 2022, experts from the Environment Agency Austria will develop concrete proposals on how to prevent waste, use resources efficiently and strengthen recycling in a chosen sector. The aim is to develop a waste strategy for this sector that complies with the EU directives and the European circular economy package. The strategy will feed into the national waste management plan for the period after 2022 and help Croatia achieve its recycling targets.
The first step consisted of an analysis of the legal framework and international obligations for waste management in Croatia, undertaken by the Environment Agency Austria. The other work packages include
- a comparative study between the current starting point for a circular economy in Croatia and the situation in Slovenia, a socio-economically and economically-geographically comparable country,
- an analysis of showcase projects,
- proposals for a circular economy strategy in a chosen sector and
- a blueprint for stakeholder consultations and administrative capacity building.
The technical assistance provided by the Environment Agency Austria is financed by the European Union’s Cohesion Fund and the Reimbursable Advisory Services instrument of the World Bank.
The development of a modern waste management system in compliance with EU regulations is inevitable for health and environmental protection, creates value and generates jobs. At the same time, it is cost-intensive, takes time and competent administrative resources. Therefore, we support our Croatian colleagues.
Environment Agency Austria: an internationally sought-after environmental advisor
The Environment Agency Austria is the largest environmental expert organisation in Austria and one of the leading environmental advisors in Europe. It has carried out successful projects in more than 60 countries – from the new EU Member States to the Western Balkans, the Middle East, the Maghreb and Asia. The Environment Agency Austria works as an advisor for UN and EU institutions and as a partner in more than 200 national, European and international networks, bodies and working groups.
Project partner: Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development
