Report calls for further action to boost eco-innovation
In recent years, Europe has witnessed a strong growth in the number of businesses involved in eco-innovation. However, faced with the increasing threat of climate change and environmental pollution, new driving forces have to be put in place to encourage the diffusion and take up of environmental-friendly, innovative technologies on a broader scale, according to a report from the European Commission. This is the second in the series of reports published within the framework of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) - an initiative launched in 2004 to coordinate EU and Member States' efforts to boost eco-innovation. It sketches the trends and developments in the sector, finding that European eco-industries are a quickly growing portion of the EU economy. They represent 2.1% of the Union's overall GDP and help sustain some 3.5 million full-time jobs. Around 75% of these jobs are in the water and solid waste management sectors. Other areas where European businesses are active include air pollution control, soil remediation, renewable energies and recycling. European businesses involved in eco-industries also hold a strong position worldwide. It is estimated that that the EU has one third of the market share in this sector, while the Dow Jones Sustainability Index shows that European businesses are the most sustainable in 13 of 18 major economic sectors. However, a lot more needs to be done in order to make the environmental gains required to combat the threats of climate change, air pollution, and the erosion of eco-systems. 'Eco-innovation is a central element in the fight against climate change. It will bring us a long way towards meeting our targets of reducing energy consumption by 20% and increasing the use of renewable energy by 20% by 2020. However, we have less than 13 years to achieve these goals. It is vital that the full capacity for eco-innovation be exploited without delay. Only through eco-innovation can we fundamentally change our patterns of production and consumption,' argues EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. The report identifies five areas where further action is needed. Topping the list is the need for further green public and private sector procurement. This can be achieved, suggests the report, by building on the work already done, diffusing model tender specifications, setting voluntary targets and giving guidance on indicators and benchmarking. A Communication outlining these elements is expected this year. Other priorities include mobilising greater financial investments, establishing technology and performance target systems and benchmarking national schemes. In the short term, policies should focus on sectors where eco-innovations and environmental technologies can yield the highest environmental gains most quickly and easily. These include construction, food and drink and private transport. In addition to the five actions to increase demand, the report also points to the need for some general support measures, including the need to further channel and harness research under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). This can be achieved by establishing synergies between research themes, technology platforms, emerging lead markets and regulation. Research on the methodology of technology assessment may also contribute to improve future verification and standardisation systems. There is also an opportunity to promote more research in environmental technologies at the international level, suggests the report. It is estimated that up to 30% of the FP7's budget will address environmental technologies. Research will focus on hydrogen and fuel cells, clean production processes, alternative energy sources, CO2 sequestration, bio-fuels and bio-refineries, energy efficiency, information technologies for sustainable growth, clean and efficient transport, water technologies, soil and waste management, and environmentally friendly materials.