In this paper, we have analysed the level of advancement in circular economy (CE) in the EU-28 countries. First, we used a synthetic measure to examine CE advancement in EU countries in each of the Eurostat CE distinguished areas, i.e., production and consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, and competitiveness and innovation. For the empirical analysis, we applied 17 Eurostat indicators to the CE areas. To find the synthetic measure in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016, we used multidimensional comparative analysis, i.e., a zero unitarisation method. Second, based on the synthetic measures of the CE areas, we created a general synthetic measure of the CE advancement of the EU-28 countries as well as the countries’ rankings. Third, we classified the countries into groups according to their level of advancement in CE, i.e., high level, medium–high level, medium–low level and low level groups. Finally, we applied a similarity measure to evaluate the correlation between obtained rankings in two most extreme moments in the period of analysis (2010, 2016). Our analysis covers all EU member states, as well as “old” and “new” EU countries separately. Our results confirm that highly developed Benelux countries, i.e., Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, have the highest CE advancement level. Malta, Cyprus, Estonia and Greece are the least advanced in CE practice. Apart from that, on average, there is some progress in CE implementation, significant disproportions between the EU countries were observed, especially among the “new” member states.

This study examines the relationship between the level of socioeconomic development of the EU 28 countries and the adoption of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 environmental management system. First, through a multivariate comparative analysis of the secondary data obtained from the public statistics, a Hellwig’s synthetic indicator is created to rank the level of socioeconomic development of the EU 28 countries. Then, using the total number of certificates issued in 2012 and the increase from 2011, this study has found a correlation between the level of national socioeconomic development and the adoption of ISO 14001 system in their businesses. Although there was no relationship between the number of ISO 14001 certificates in 2012 and the level of socioeconomic development at the national level, a weak negative correlation was observed between the increase of certification from 2011 to 2012 and the level of national socioeconomic development. The results suggest a higher interest in ISO 14001 adoption by the firms from the less developed countries than those from the more developed states.

The pivotal role of digital transformation (DT) in contemporary socio-economic development cannot be overstated. This crucial aspect is highlighted in the Agenda 2030, specifically in goal 9 among the 17 objectives. This article presents the results of a study assessing the level of DT in industry, innovation, and infrastructure in the 27 European Union (EU) countries in 2015 and 2020. Central to this study is the proposition of an aggregated Digital Transformation Assessment Indicator (DTAI), serving as a metric to gauge the progression of EU member states. Utilizing this indicator, the article assesses the advancement status of EU countries and orchestrates a comparative ranking of their achievements in fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 between 2015 and 2020. Moreover, a classification of countries into analogous groups based on this criterion for both periods is provided. The DTAI is prepared following the methodology of the linear ordering of objects—countries of the EU 27. The zero unitarization method (ZUM) is used as the main ordering method. To compare the results obtained, the DTAI value and classifications of countries in 2015, and 2020, are also presented using Hellwig’s pattern development method. The findings of this investigation underscore the variances existing among the EU 27 nations concerning the implementation of SDG 9. Furthermore, notable fluctuations in ranking positions are also observed. The research outcomes underscore significant challenges in DT implementation, particularly within Central, Eastern, and Southern European nations. The utilized research methodology bears substantial implications for the effective realization of the 2030 Agenda and its corresponding SDGs, both at the individual nation-state level and within the broader framework of the EU.

Measuring sustainable development requires multidimensional attitude as the process is characterised by compound relationships between social, economic and environmental spheres. The paper aims at assessing selected effects of sectoral employment for the three dimensions of developmental processes. We examine employment efficiency in 25 EU countries concerning four sectors: agriculture, industry, market services, and non-market services. We use a non-radial DEA input-oriented model, which allows the assessment of the general efficiency of labour resources, as well as the evaluation of in-depth efficiency in the three dimensions of the economies under study. The novelty of the research lays in both multidimensional attitudes to the effects of labour engagement as well as intersectoral comparisons of the employment results. We categorise the EU countries according to efficiency in gaining the sustainable development and its three dimensions. Generally, the “old” EU members are of higher efficiency than the “new” states. Our research shows desirable movements of labour force that are necessary to improve efficiency and thus offers some advice for a rational development policy. It appears that it is necessary to limit agricultural employment in favour of non-market and market services and, to a lower extent, of industry. We conclude that the structural changes in employment specified by patterns observed in the highly developed EU countries are favourable for realising the aims of sustainable development.

In the face of the current energy crisis and the need to implement the objectives of climate and energy policy, it seems necessary to examine energy efficiency. Accordingly, this article aims to assess the energy efficiency of European Union (EU) countries. The assessment is performed using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a non-parametric method of measurement of relative efficiency. Ireland recorded the highest energy efficiency both in 2013 and 2020. The average efficiency of all countries assessed was lower in 2020 than in 2013. The number of fully efficient countries had decreased in 2020 compared to 2013. The differentiation of countries in terms of energy efficiency had increased in 2020. The research made it possible to express the efficiencies of countries using a single indicator applied to establish countries’ rankings. The lowest-ranked states are encouraged to improve their technologies for transforming inputs into outputs following the technologies of the benchmark countries. Moreover, a new approach to defining and measuring energy efficiency is proposed. We define energy efficiency as the ratio of services, goods and/or energy obtained to the energy input. In analysing energy efficiency, we emphasise dynamic perspectives rather than static ones.