C. whereas the switch to a circular economy is essentially a matter of economics, concerning access to, or sustainable availability of, raw materials, the reindustrialisation and further digitalisation of Europe, the creation of new jobs and the challenges of climate change, energy insecurity and scarce resources; whereas investing in a circular economy can therefore be fully compatible with the Commission’s jobs, growth and competitiveness agenda and has the potential to create a win-win situation for all stakeholders involved;

The specific objective is to make the transition to a reliable, affordable, publicly accepted, sustainable and competitive energy system, aiming at reducing fossil fuel dependency in the face of increasingly scarce resources, increasing energy needs and climate change.

D. whereas the resource scarcity resulting from intense use, price speculation on the commodities markets and dramatically increased global consumption are pushing up raw material prices, with real commodity prices having increased by 147 % since the turn of the century; whereas the EU is likely to face severe challenges in securing access to, and the uninterrupted supply of, key resources; whereas efficient use of raw materials in industry and at political level is recognised to be crucial to meeting these challenges;

D. whereas the resource scarcity resulting from intense use, price speculation on the commodities markets and dramatically increased global consumption are pushing up raw material prices, with real commodity prices having increased by 147% since the turn of the century; whereas the EU is likely to face severe challenges in securing access to, and the uninterrupted supply of, key resources; whereas efficient use of raw materials in industry and at political level is recognised to be crucial to meeting these challenges;

37. Insists on an urgent follow up of the Communication on Water Scarcity and Droughts and a more ambitious approach than commented in CWP 2011; in view of the interconnections between drought, forest fires and desertification, calls on the Commission to present a proposal for a directive similar to the directive on floods, to promote the adoption of an EU policy on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change; calls on the Commission to present and to carry out, together with the Member States, legislative proposals and initiatives in the area of forest protection and fire protection; calls on the Commission to present a directive on Water Efficiency of Buildings in connection with the Blue Print to safeguard Europ ...[+++]e’s water resources;

63. Insists on an urgent follow up of the Communication on Water Scarcity and Droughts and a more ambitious approach than commented in CWP 2011; in view of the interconnections between drought, forest fires and desertification, calls on the Commission to present a proposal for a directive similar to the directive on floods, to promote the adoption of an EU policy on water scarcity, drought and adaptation to climate change; calls on the Commission to present and to carry out, together with the Member States, legislative proposals and initiatives in the area of forest protection and fire protection; calls on the Commission to present a directive on Water Efficiency of Buildings in connection with the Blue Print to safeguard Europ ...[+++]e’s water resources (announced for 2012);