Vemos uma praça circular de um parque a partir do céu, jardins e copas das árvores

Initiatives and projects for decarbonisation

Repsol Foundation Classroom at the University of the Basque Country

Energy Transition Classroom on circular economy and decarbonisation

We promote the efficient reuse of raw materials in production processes

The circular economy advocates an efficient use of materials and resources, and its progressive implementation will be essential to achieve decarbonisation objectives.

Until now we have applied linear production models, that is, we extract, produce, consume and discard. The society in which we live means that the pace of consumption is accelerating, it is a fast model, but not very sustainable for the planet.

Objective of the Classroom

The mission of the creation of the Classroom is to generate knowledge in society about the circular economy.

The circular economy is a pillar of the energy transition. Our current economic system is based on a linear model (buy-use-throw away) that is triggering negative consequences for the health of people and the planet. To try to address this problem, the European Commission (EC) approved the European Green Deal in December 2019, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The EC has also proposed a European Climate Law that makes this political commitment a legal obligation.

Within this framework, the European Circular Economy Action Plan presented in March 2020 focuses on the circular economy as a strategy for a new production model. The Spanish Circular Economy Strategy, approved in June 2020, reflects this same philosophy.

Lines of work

Revalorization of plastics by hydrothermal process.
Use of used cooking oils for the production of biofuels.
Management and recovery of slurry through anaerobic treatment.

Presentation of the Classroom by the Director

Classroom Equipment

Ion Agirre

Director of the Classroom and lecturer at the EHU