The World Circular Economy Forum presents the world’s best circular economy solutions and gathers together the most recognised experts and decision makers in the field. The event is organised by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Read more: www.wcef2019.com

1. Challenges for
measuring the
circular economy
 istockphoto/ridvan_celik
Arturo de la Fuente
European Commission
Eurostat, statistical office of the EU

2. What’s the circular economy for you?
Individuals
Global scale
EconomyEnvironment

4. Environment Society Environment
The big picture
Example: material flows in the European Union, 2016, billion tonnes

6. EU monitoring framework
4 areas; 10 indicators

7. EU monitoring framework on Eurostat’s website
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/circular-economy/overview

8. What we have achieved Challenges ahead
• Indicators for all 4 areas
• Recycling rates, circularity rates
• Secondary raw materials
• Critical materials for the economy
• Material footprints
• Food waste
Also:
• Data quality standards
• Plastics! More detailed flows and actors
• Regions and other local information
• Innovation, new products, new
technologies
• Jobs & investments in the circular
economy sector

9. Way forward:
1. Further develop top-down approach
• Enhance detail
• Re-use and integrate existing statistics
• Use models and accounting approaches
• Complete with thematic studies, LCA
2. Explore complementary approaches
• Data mining
• Citizen’s science
• Big data

10. Thank you for your
attention!
arturo.de-la-fuente@ec.europa.eu