Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

420 Chapter 15: Circular Economy and Waste 5. Responses EPA Circular Economy Programme Section 10 of the Circular Economy Act (2022) gives the EPA statutory responsibility for establishing a circular economy programme. The EPA’s report on the Circular Economy Programme (EPA, 2021a), outlines the EPA’s role in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. By means of the Circular Economy Programme, the EPA looks beyond waste management to lead a more coherent approach to circular thinking nationally, regionally and locally. The current programme includes four pillars and seven priority areas, aligned to the European Green Deal (Figure 15.12). Its focus is on delivering national measures, assessments, evidence and data to facilitate systemic change. Table 15.3 sets out the key activities under each of the four pillars. Figure 15.12  The 2021-2027 Circular Economy Programme The Circular Economy Programme Our Priority Areas Packaging Construction & building Electronics & ICT Batteries & vehicles Plastics Textiles Food, water & nutrients Innovation & demonstration Supports Delivering through partnerships Knowledge Leadership Advocacy, insights, data & coordination Regulatory Framework for Circularity Opportunity Source: EPA, 2021a