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An increase in household electricity prices has been taken place in the European Union in last years, which has been strongly influenced by the regulation component. This paper focuses on an empirical assessment of both supply-side and demand-side policies in the European Union over the period 2000-2015. More specifically, the analysis of the electricity industry liberalisation process and renewable energy support policies (from supply-side), as well as, energy taxes (from demand-side) has been developed in order to contribute to the present debate about the effect of these factors on household electricity prices. The results suggest that the liberalisation process has involved greater household electricity prices. Regarding solar photovoltaic energy support policies, the costs of quota obligation systems seem also to result in greater household electricity prices. However, energy taxes do not have a significant influence on these prices. Based on these results, recommendation actions are proposed for policy-makers.

[Abstract] In the framework of the European Union's Sustainable Development Policy, the promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns has been a key issue. The explanation is given by their capacity to address social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems and decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. The EU has established an extensive range of proposals on sustainable consumption and production (SCP), which include an energy- and resource-efficient economy, circular economy, waste prevention and recycling, among others. This paper contributes, by using both factorial and regression analysis, to the identification of fundamental constructs that define SCP in the EU-28, their links with resource productivity and the role of governments and enterprises in its improvement by means of investment in research, development and innovation over the period 2001–2018. Some recommendations to policy-makers are proposed in the paper in order to take actions directly on SCP, such as promoting the use of recycled raw materials in public works, or imposing the need for Ecolabel certification to contract with public administration.

[Resumen]: El manejo de los residuos es un tema que involucra a varios sectores de la sociedad, ya sean estos públicos o privados, además de que se hace necesario un marco jurídico institucional para el diseño de políticas públicas desde un ámbito integral, holístico y sistémico, que contribuya como instrumento, para combatir los efectos de la generación de residuos y el deterioro del medio ambiente. En el documento expone la importancia de la adecuada gestión de los residuos y de la evolución de la política medioambiental. Sus objetivos se basan en mejorar la calidad de vida, una gestión ambiental sostenible y una producción limpia, por lo cual, para lograrlos, se propone acciones de mejoramiento ambiental y acciones institucionales. La metodología empleada para el presente artículo corresponde a una investigación documental. Los resultados obtenidos en la investigación demuestran que la Unión Europea ha llegado a introducir diversas políticas y objetivos en cuanto al manejo y gestión de los residuos, logrando que algunos países logren altas tasas de reutilización, reciclaje y mejor disposición de los residuos. ; [Abstract]: Waste management is an issue that involves various sectors of society, whether public or private, in addition to the need for an institutional legal framework for the design of public policies from a comprehensive, holistic and systemic scope, which contribute as an instrument to combat the effects of waste generation and the deterioration of the environment. The document explains the importance of proper waste management and the evolution of environmental policy. Its objectives are based on improving the quality of life, sustainable environmental management and clean production, for which, to achieve them, it proposes environmental improvement actions and institutional actions. The methodology used for this article corresponds to a documentary investigation. The results obtained in the research show that the European Union has come to introduce various policies and objectives regarding the handling and management of waste, achieving that some countries achieve high rates of reuse, recycling and better disposal of waste.