|7 April 2017|
EUROPE
Finding innovative ways to reuse wastewater for agricultural purposes is at the heart of a new European deal signed today aimed at advancing the circular economy.
The Innovation Deal is the first relating specifically to the circular economy. It will look at how European legislation can work better to support ideas and initiatives that help agricultural in more water scarce regions of the continent.
It is backed by a collaboration of nations, regions, academics and businesses, united in their commitment to the widespread adoption of circular principles.
Carlos Moedas, the European Union’s Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation tweeted his delight earlier at signing this first circular economy innovation deal.
“ The Innovation Deals is an instrument towards a more modern and responsive administration that helps innovators facing regulatory obstacles to innovation in the existing EU legislative framework. Implementing Innovation Deals shows that we are changing as an institution, from only setting rules to being pragmatic and pro-active in helping achieve policy objectives through innovation,” he said.
Karmenu Vella,Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who signed the deal alongside and 14 stakeholders working on sustainable water management, added: “This first ‘Innovation Deal’ on water helps in our push for a circular economy. It comes as we are about to check how European water policy is working. We want our policy to be simpler to put in place and easier to use. The Innovation Deal helps us do this.”
