Systemic Design Approach; Bring Holistic Governance into Europe's 2030 Economic Paradigms

How will the future European production systems ensure enough natural resources, quality jobs and income opportunities for millions of people in a more humane, sustainable and efficient manner? In times where the current linear economy has increased exposure to the risks of unpredictable resource prices, job instability, and supply disruptions. These problems of resource security and scarcity are highlighted by the EU’s increasing dependence on material imports (six times more material imported than exported) (Lazarevic et al, 2017). Moreover, the situation has gotten sharper as the low costs in production and labor in Asia have put the European Economy at a disadvantage. As a consequence, the EU industry is producing and consuming not local resources in an unsustainable way. On that view, according to the SDG 12 “Ensuring sustainable consumption and growth patterns” What impacts will bring the systematic decoupling of economic growth from resource consumption in European regions by 2030? European regions will have to prepare for a long-term transformation towards a Circular Economy (CE) in order to achieve significant waste prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse by 2030. To achieve this goal the European Commission released on 2015 the CE Package, whose purpose is through the integration of policy proposals on waste management, landfills, and recycling and reuse, foster a shift to a sustainable economic paradigm in the EU. Furthermore, an Action Plan on closing the loop of the product life cycle in each step of the value chains. Incorporating actions such as repairing and remanufacturing that will promote the introduction of raw materials into the economy (EC, 2017). Through these actions is that critical raw materials will be kept within Europe, strengthen the EU industry and making it less dependent on imports, less vulnerable to market volatility and material supply issues. (Lazarevic et al, 2017) What does the transition toward a CE entail and what can it do? However, on this inevitable transition, we must be aware that not all parties would benefit from a circular model on regards growth and employment. According to McKinsey, there are non-captured system benefits and rebound effects could limit the income. Moreover, this scenario will bring consequences to a considerable part of the industry and employment segments that will be likely to not act quickly enough and would lose by 2030.