EU-South cooperation perspectives in ecoinnovation
Asel Doranova,
Technopolis and Eco-innovation Observatory
Geneva, 28 May 2013
Background of the study
• One of 6 thematic reports of the Eco-Innovation
Observatory
• Prepared in collaboration with UNEP/Wuppertal Institute
Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and
Production (CSCP)
• Methodology and information sourcing:
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literature review
good practices collection
interviews
expert group discussions
Outline of the presentation
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Eco-innovative SMEs in Europe
North-south eco-innovation gap
Eco-innovation needs and challenges in emerging markets
Eco-innovation opportunities for European SMEs in
emerging markets: possibilities along the Value Chain
• Eco-innovation drivers and barriers in emerging markets
• Key messages
Eco-innovative SMEs in Europe
% companies with material
efficiency eco-innovations
Source: own calculation based on CIS 2006-2008 data
How European SMEs cooperate in innovation
Source: own calculation based on CIS 2006-2008 data
How European SMEs cooperate in innovation
Source: The Flash Eurobarometer survey for the
Observatory for European SMEs (2007)
North-South eco-innovation gap:
Trade in environmental goods
Exports
Source: own calculations based on COMTRADE
Imports
North-South eco-innovation gap:
Environmental patents
Source: Own
calculation based
on Patstat
Eco-innovation needs and challenges in emerging
markets
 Population growth and increasing resource scarcity including land,
water, food, as well as nature degradation
 Climate change, through its effects on water, is threatening agriculture,
and disaster prone areas
 Increasing industrialisation and urbanisation which puts increasing
pressure on environment
 Growing middle class following western consumption style
 Increasing awareness of government in greening their economies,
adoption of targets (e.g. for renewable energy)
 Increasing demand for green products and services
Eco-innovation opportunities in emerging markets:
along the Value Chain
Extraction
Manufacturing
Distribution and transport
Use
End of life recycling, recovery, re-use
SYSTEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Drivers for eco-innovation in emerging markets
Barriers to eco-innovaion in emerging markets
Key messages to the European SMEs
 Markets in the emerging economies are growing and offer
opportunities ranging from trade to innovation collaboration.
 Business should invest in analysing locations they plan to get
involved in (nature of opportunities, barriers and drivers differ in
regions).
 There are EU and national measures supporting European
companies in internationalising. SMEs entering emerging
markets are advised to tap from these initiatives and use
materials and hands-on expertise.
 The involvement of European SMEs in emerging economies
should not be seen as one-way relationship, but rather a mutual
learning process.
Policy messages to EU government(s)
 While developing cooperation in eco-innovation with emerging economies,
follow a coherent and cooperative approach, incl. demonstrating a strong
commitment to sustainability issues at all levels.
 Successfully implemented cooperation schemes could be diffused in
different emerging regions, in collaboration with local stakeholders and, if
relevant, international organisations.
 Assist in strengthening various aspects of the institutional and regulatory
frameworks in developing and emerging countries, and promoting ecoinnovation support measures (supply and demand)
 Work towards global targets for resource efficiency, renewable energy,
waste, footprints
THANK YOU!
The Eco-Innovation Observatory
• Information platform and evidence on eco-innovation for
business, policy and researchers
• Analysis of the current and future eco-innovation market
and policy trends in Europe and beyond
• Funded by DG Environment of the European Commission
• Partners: Technopolis Group (leader), Wuppertal Institute,
SERI, University of Turku C-Tech
EIO resources
•Reports and briefs
•EU27 country profiles
•Database with on-line
charts and maps
•Good practices
•Eco-innovation Scoreboard
•Eco-innovation glossary
•Surveys
Website: http://www.eco-innovation.eu
EU27 country pages
including country briefs
News including
surveys and
events
All EIO reports
and briefs
Interactive on-line database
(charts and maps)
More than 150
examples of
eco-innovation
from all EU
member states
Interactive
presentation
Comprehensive
search function