Transition to the Circular Economy and Services of General Economic Interest

Abstract [En]: The transition to the circular economy, which is the expression of the European “Green New Deal”, entails complex application issues for the sector of services of general economic interest: technological innovation requirements for industrial production, reforms of the legal framework and an inevitable and wider cultural evolution. The article examines the most relevant consequences of the transposition of the 2018 directives, related to waste, for the internal order and the critical issues involving public utilities industry, territorial authorities and users, according to solutions of sharing and environment compatibility.  

Abstract [It]: La transizione all’economia circolare, espressione del “Green New Deal” europeo, comporta per il settore dei servizi di interesse economico generale questioni applicative complesse: esigenze di innovazione tecnologica per la produzione industriale, riforme della disciplina giuridica e un’inevitabile e più ampia evoluzione culturale. L’articolo esamina le conseguenze più rilevanti del recepimento delle direttive del 2018, relative ai rifiuti, per l’ordinamento interno e le questioni critiche che coinvolgono le imprese di gestione dei servizi pubblici, gli enti territoriali e gli utenti, secondo soluzioni di condivisione e di compatibilità con l’ambiente.  

Keywords: Circular Economy; Transition; Services of general economic interest; technological innovation

Parole chiave: Economia circolare; Transizione; Servizi di interesse economico generale; innovazione tecnologica

Sommario: 1. The complex framework: interdisciplinary topics. 2. Public services of general economic interest and common goods. 3. The implementation of the 2018 European directives on waste. 4. The direct influence of European environmental policy and related discipline. 4.1. The definition of circular economy in our law system. 5. Technological and cultural innovations and a new industrial policy: environmental sustainability objectives and the new purpose of utilities companies. 6. The public utilities market. 7. It is necessary to rethink the skills of local authorities: the intricate and gradual path requires economic and technical resources and a new strategic role for public-private companies. 8. Some profile of “Green Finance” and the involvement of the European banking system. 9. Final considerations.