This partial report shows decision-makers and interested parties the potential of the circular economy for greenhouse gas reduction in 2017 and for 2030 for the EU and 2 clusters of selected member states considering the current legal framework. Municipal waste, food waste and roughly commercial waste and construction and demolition waste are considered using the life cycle assessment method. The inclusion of home composting in the recycling rate is estimated with regard to the effects on the climate protection potential and, based on the available data, waste avoidance and reuse are included in the greenhouse gas balance.

The partial report on the EU is available in German and English and is supplemented by the partial reports on Germany.