Reports
- CML, PSI, CSM (2008) ECO-DRIVE: A framework for measuring eco-innovation: typology of indicators based on causal chains, Final Report, FP6-2005-SSP-5-A
Ecodrive is a Specific Targeted Research or Innovation Project within the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission. The aim of this study is to catch the most relevant variables which are conducive to economic growth and environmental improvement and to place them in a framework where their usefulness and relative importance can be evaluated.
CML, Wuppertal Institute, CE (2005) Policy Review on Decoupling: Development of indicators to assess decoupling of economic development and environmental pressure in the EU-25 and AC-3 countries, Final Report
This study has been conducted within the framework of the EU Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (Resource Strategy), which objective is to break the linkage between economic growth and resource use, or “decoupling”, and consequently reduce or avoid environmental impacts. The study addresses how to measure decoupling and how to monitor progress on the decoupling road.
- Coogan A. (Ed.) (2007), FUNDETEC Comparison and Assessment of Funding Schemes for the Development of New Activities and Investments in Environmental Technologies. Project financed by the EU's 6th Research Framework Programme
FUNDETEC project (under FP6) examines the funding available for the development and commercialisation of environmental technologies, identifying ways to improve the flow of funds to the best new idea. In this report, the FUNDETEC looks at technology developers and private sector financers and in particular at funding for early-stage developers, long-term financing and conditions for investments.
- ECOTEC (2002) Analysis of the EU Eco-industries, their employment and export potential, Report commissioned by the CEC, 2002
The study collated, in 2002, available environmental expenditure data on the market for goods and services produced by eco-industries in both what were the EU-15 and the Candidate Countries, as the basis for describing the economic significance of the sector, including employment levels.
The study also provides insights into the export capabilities of EU Member States of 2002, particularly their relationship with the Candidate Countries of the time. - Ernst and Young (2006) “Eco-industry, its size, employment, perspectives and barriers to growth in an enlarged EU”, Report commissioned by the CEC, September 2006
The objective of the study was to provide a better understanding of the driving forces of the eco-industry development and of potential measures to support this development. It is an analysis of eco-industries in the EU, their economic impact and their growth prospect. The study looked at the competitiveness of the sectors and at the economic viability and cost structure of the eco-industries at the firm level.
- EUROSTAT (2007) Measuring progress towards a more sustainable Europe, 2007 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy, Luxembourg
Based on the EU set of sustainable development indicators (SDIs), a first monitoring report had been published by Eurostat in December 2005. The Commission carried out in the present study a review of the 2005 indicators. This new report updated and adapted the 2005 edition in the context of the renewed EU sustainable development strategy of June 2006, analysing progress in the implementation of the renewed objectives. - German Ministry of Environment and Federal Environmental Agency Bundesministerium fur Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU) and Umweltbundestamt (UBA) (2009) Umweltwirtschaftsbericht 2009, Berlin
- Langeveld, H.; Sanders, J; Meeusen, M. (eds.); The biobased economy: biofuels, materials and chemicals in the post-oil era. London: Earthscan; 2010.
The book provides a very useful and intelligible overview on the complex interplay between the critical aspects of moving towards a more biobased economy. From agriculture over the broad stages of the industrial production processes to materials the stakes are set out, including the interdependencies as well as economic, spatial and environmental factors. On their basis, the implications for policy and the main groups of actors to be involved in the design of such policies are introduced. The book indicates the state of technological progress as of 2009, whose fundamental lines still hold today, and makes a useful distinction between the likely progress on different time horizons. It convincingly argues the economics of a cascading approach to using renewable raw materials and points out the significance of the interface with the food and feed sectors in this regard. It neglects though the safety aspects and relative policy choices that will have to be taken in this respect.
It is a merit of the book to make clear that the issues are interconnected and that indeed the transition from petro-chemistry to bio-chemistry requires an approach of systemic innovation, which depends on a co-operation across the usual boundaries between ministries. The book refrains pleasantly from advocacy, relying on the facts to let the reader arrive at this conclusion.
The book is well written and structured. Even though the more technically oriented chapters refer to chemicals, readers unfamiliar with their meaning can still understand the main lines of the arguments made. It is therefore recommended reading for all those who have an interest in getting an informed overview on the various issues of the transition to a biobased economy and their relevance for public policy.
- OECD (2008a) Environmental innovation and global markets, Working Party on Global and Structural Policies, ENV/EPOC/GSP(2007)2/FINAL, Paris
- This report examines the links between environmental innovation and globalisation looking, on the one hand, at how firms are adapting their environmental innovation strategies to the challenges and opportunities of global markets, and, on the other, at ways in which governments are promoting environmentally-related innovation in the context of a globalising economy.
- OECD (2008b) OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030, Paris
Highlights of the book, and possibility to purchase it.
The report provides analyses of economic and environmental trends to 2030, and simulations of policy actions to address the key challenges. Considering the risks, and highlighting the costs of inaction, it suggests mix of policies that can address these challenges in a cost-effective way. - POPA-CTDA (2007) Policy brief: Policy pathways to promote eco-innovation, Delft
- The aim of this research project was to assess the issues driving and barriers slowing the development and uptake of cleaner technologies across the energy, agricultural, transport and industrial sectors of the economy. The output of this policy-targeted research is expected to provide insights into how to encourage innovation and use of cleaner technologies and hence help in the practical implementation of sustainable development.
- Technopolis (2004) Policy Instruments for Sustainable Innovation, report for preparations of the Dutch EU-Presidency in the context of the Informal Environmental Council on July 16-18, 2004
The study presents the outcomes of a research project on the (financial- economic) instruments in Europe to support innovation in the area of sustainability are presented, which was part of the Dutch EU-Presidency preparations for the Informal Environmental Council on July 16-18, 2004. The relevant instruments for innovation in the area of sustainability were listed per European country, before being categorized and their impact on innovation and sustainability analysed. - Technopolis (2008) Eco-Innovation, Final Report, Sectoral Innovation Watch Project
Eco-Innovation is one of the themes in focus under the Europe INNOVA Sectoral Innovation Watch project. In this report, authors set up a conceptual framework for further analysis and policy development on eco-innovation. The report brings together the available evidence on eco-innovation and proposes a set of policy options for a more structured integration of eco-innovation into mainstream policy.
- UNU-MERIT, ZEW, RISO, ICL, LEIA (2008) MEI – Measuring Eco-Innovation, Draft Final Report (March 2008)
Measuring eco-innovation (MEI) is a project for DG Research of the European Commission, in collaboration with the European environment agency (EEA) and the Joint research centre (JRC). This report discusses the relationships between eco-innovation and competitiveness and possible ways for measuring the effects of eco-innovation on competitiveness at the level of companies, sectors, and nations or nation-blocs such as the EU. - Wuppertal Institute et al (2008) Eco-innovation – putting the EU on the path to a resource and energy efficient economy.
This report was commissioned by the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy to support its work on the EU's industrial and energy policy. It provides advice on the policies needed for the EU to reduce its needs for resources, in particular through eco-innovation solutions; the report also considers existing eco-innovation measures and their possible improvements.
