eco-innovation in spain · ms. luisa serrano perez, ministry of environment and rural and marine...

EIO Country Brief: Spain 2011 0

Eco-innovation in

Spain

EIO Country Profile

2011


Eco-Innovation Observatory

The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and

analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation information gathered from across the

European Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-needed

integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service

providers, as well as providing a solid decision-making basis for policy development.

The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in all

economic sectors and therefore relevant for all types of innovation, defining eco-innovation as:

“Eco-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the

release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle”.

To find out more, visit www.eco-innovation.eu

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily

reflect the position of the European Commission.

http://www.eco-innovation.eu/


Eco-Innovation Observatory

Country Profile 2011: Spain

Authors

Mikel Sorli & Laura García Zambrano

Coordinator of the work package

Technopolis Group Belgium

Acknowledgments

The document has been prepared with the kind support of the representatives of the Spanish authorities,

namely:

Ms. Luisa Serrano Perez, Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs

Ms. Majj-Brit Larka, Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs

Mr. Juan Martin Perez, Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs

Mrs. Fernández SanMiguel Montserrat, Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs

Mr. Luis M. Jiménez Herrero executive director of the Observatory of Sustainability

Ms. Ana Leiva, director of Biodiversity Foundation

Mr. Juan Mulet, director of COTEC

Mr. Fernando Barrenechea, director of IHOBE

Ms. Cristina Garmendia, director of Ministry of Science and Innovation

A note to Readers

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily

reflect the position of the European Commission. A number of companies are presented as illustrative

examples of eco-innovation in this report. Their inclusion in this report does not imply that EIO endorses

these companies and, it should also be noted that, the report is not an exhaustive source of information

on innovation at company level.

This brief is available for download at www.eco-innovation.eu/Spain


Table of contents

Summary .................................................................................................................................... 4

1 | Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5

2 | Eco-innovation performance .................................................................................................... 6

3 | Leading eco-innovation areas and markets ......................................................................... 10

4 |New trends: areas and markets on the rise ........................................................................... 17

5 | Public policy in support of eco-innovation ........................................................................... 21

6 | Main findings ........................................................................................................................... 25

6.1 Strengths and weaknesses of eco-innovation in Spain .............................................................25

6.2 Opportunities and Threats for eco-innovations in Spain ............................................................26

References .................................................................................................................................................... 29

Annex 1. Policy measures addressing eco-innovations in Spain ........................................................... 37


Summary

The productive sectors and the economy in general display tendencies towards eco-efficiency in the

context of a reduction in economic activity. Progress towards a sustainable economy brings with it a new

take-off in employment that combines the generation of profits, a reduction in social inequality, and the

protection and improvement of our surroundings through investment in a new series of assets based on

clean and efficient technology, eco-innovation and renewable energies, among others. In this way, the

production pattern is oriented towards processes that are less intensive in the use of materials, energy

and carbon, which helps at the same time to consolidate a strategic response in facing climate change.

In comparison to 2010, the country’s eco-innovation performance has changed significantly. In 2010,

Spain's overall eco-innovation performance was 5% above the EU average and it lay within a group of

countries with a medium-high eco-innovation performance. The 2011 Eco-Innovation Scoreboard places

Spain fifth in the EU27 ranking of eco-innovative countries. It is positioned particularly well in eco-

innovation inputs (due to its strong performance for environmental and energy R&D appropriations and

outlays), eco-innovation activities (due to its strong representation in ISO 14001 registered

organisations) and eco-innovation outputs (due to its strong performance in eco-innovation related

media coverage).

The country’s leading areas are water efficiency, sustainable construction and waste treatment. Many

initiatives have been taken in water efficiency (reuse of water, management of water resources, water

collecting and purification systems, water quality control, etc.), waste management (energetic waste

recovery) and sustainable construction.

Newly emerging eco-innovation areas include nanotechnology, sustainable mobility and smart grids.

New information and communication technologies can lead to improved sustainability through the

implementation of intelligent networks, and especially in the short term, to a decrease in energy

consumption.

In Spain, there are different policies to support eco-innovation (see Part 5) but they can be characterised

as Policies that support eco-innovation resulting in greater resource and energy efficiency in production

processes. There is a realisation that eco-innovation can have both economic and environmental

benefits.

To finalise, the brief shows the result of a SWOT analysis of the weaknesses, threats, strengths and

opportunities for eco-innovation in Spain. Overall, the strengths and opportunities for eco-innovation in

Spain outweigh the weaknesses and threats, even though there are obstacles to overcome that derive

from both structural weaknesses in the Spanish economy (low private R&D sector) and the current

economic crisis.


1 | Introduction

Eco-innovation needs and challenges in Spain are associated with the Spanish crisis. According to the

executive director of the Observatory of Sustainability in Spain1, Luis M. Jiménez Herrero, the solution

involves putting in place processes allowing economic growth to be completely disassociated from

environmental degradation and the use of resources (producing more with less), while incorporating

“sufficiency” criteria for rational consumption.

Primary energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions have declined in Spain since 1999 reflecting

the decoupling of economic growth from primary energy consumption. Many enterprises and technology

providers are emerging in the sector of renewable energy. However, a large potential rests in the eco-

innovations involving low energy consuming practices in industry and housing, ICT solutions, etc. There

is a high dependency in Spain on fossil fuels imported from non-EU countries, in particular natural gas,

accounting for 87% of total natural gas imports in EU27.

Construction is the most energy consuming sector in Spain, and therefore eco-innovation is of the

utmost importance in the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy efficient materials in new

and existing buildings. There is a demand for both systemic and technological eco-innovations that will

help transform the Spanish building sector towards less materially intensive practices.

Spain faces a number of environmental problems that would need addressing through eco-innovative

solutions. Despite water efficiency improvements over the last decades the country is facing ever

increasing water shortage which poses the need in water efficiency innovations. There are growing

amounts of solid wastes, while the resource efficiency and consumption needs improvements towards

sustainable patterns; the growing number of cars in fact, cancelled out the improved energy and

environmental efficiency achieved in other sectors. Industries and agriculture sector are increasingly

contributing to the nation's water pollution problem.

The Biodiversity Foundation and the Observatory of Sustainability in Spain,2 in response to an initiative

by the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, support the progress towards a sustainable

economy that combines the generation of profits, a reduction in social inequality, and the protection and

improvement of our surroundings through investment in a new series of assets based on clean and

efficient technology, in eco-innovation and in renewable energies, among others. In this way, in Spain,

employment in the environmental sector has grown considerably, especially in waste management and

wastewater treatment.


2 | Eco-innovation performance

The analysis in this section is based on the EU 27 Eco-Innovation Scoreboard (Eco-IS) for the year

2011. Eco-IS via its composite Eco-innovation index demonstrates the eco-innovation performance of a

country compared with the EU average and with the EU top performers. Eco-IS is based on 16

indicators which are aggregated into five components: eco-innovation inputs, eco-innovation activities,

eco-innovation outputs, environmental outcomes and socio-economic outcomes.

Figure 2.1 EU27 Eco-innovation scoreboards 2011, composite index

Source: EIO, 2011

According to the Eco-Innovation Scoreboard 2011 (see Figure 2.1), Spain's overall eco-innovation

performance is 28% above the EU average (see Figure 2.2) and is among a group of countries with high

eco-innovation performance.

Eco-innovation inputs

Eco-innovation inputs are measured based on R&D personnel and researchers, Governments

environmental and energy R&D appropriations and outlays and total value of green early stage

investments. Spain shows above EU27 average performance, standing seventh in the best overall

performance ranking. The composite eco-innovation input index for Spain stands at 120, where the EU

average is 100.

According to EUROSTAT in 2009, the Governments environmental and energy R&F appropriations and

outlays are around 8% of GDP. The total R&D personnel and researchers in Spain in 2007 rose to

1.49% of the total labour force and total employment while the EU average was lower: 1.44%.

Furthermore, according to the Spanish Sustainability Observatory3, the number of people working in

RTD has grown 2.4% from 2008 to 20094.


According to EUROSTAT, between 2007- 2009 the total value of green early stage investments was

6.63 (€/cap) while the EU average was higher (7.54€/cap). During 2007-2009 the Spanish cleantech

projects attracted €295.001m. The data does not provide technology and field related specifications;

however renewable energy, energy efficiency and transportation (electric vehicle) constitute the largest

share of the cleantech venture capital statics.

Figure 2.2 Eco-innovation composite index components for Spain, 2011

Source: EIO, 2011

Eco-innovation activities

Eco-IS results demonstrate that Spanish companies are very often committed to eco-innovation

activities (the measurement is based on corporate activities reducing material and energy use through

innovation, and ISO 14001 registered organisations).

In terms of innovations resulting in less use of raw material and energy, Spain’s business performance is

above the EU27 average. Based on the Community Innovation Survey (CIS) results from the period

2004-2006, 8.53% of innovative enterprises in Spain indicated that their innovation contributed

significantly to the reduction of raw material and energy usage per output unit.

The number of Spanish firms which have registered the ISO 14001 has increased to 360.63 per mln

population. Spain lies above EU27 average performance and the composite eco-innovation input index

for Spain stands at 224 where the EU average is 100. According to the latest report of the International

Organization for Standardization (ISO Survey 2008)5, for the fourth consecutive year Spain is the third

country in the world and first in Europe in the number of ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management

Systems, with 16,443 certificates. Furthermore, UNE 150301 Standard Environmental Process Design

and Development: Ecodesign approved at Spain has led to ISO 14006 (ISO).

The number of EMAS certified organisations is very high and has increased considerably since 2001.

Furthermore, according to the Spanish Sustainability Observatory6, Spain is the second country in the

world, with 1,537 centres and 1,215 firms which have an Environmental Management System and 1,235

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme certified workplaces7. This puts the country in one of the leading


positions in Europe. Most of the certificates issued are in the service and hospitality sectors, and in the

Autonomous Communities of Catalonia and Madrid. In addition to this, Spain lies sixth in the EU in terms

of certified eco-labelled products (51). The categories for the majority of eco-labelled products are

cleaning products (18), followed by varnishes and paints (10), and services (tourist accommodation and

camp sites - 9). An increasing number of environmental certification and eco-labelled products also

points towards a growing propensity to introduce eco-innovative organisational practices, processes,

products and services.

Eco-innovation output

Eco-innovation outputs are measured by the number of patents in pollution reduction and energy

efficiency fields, and by the publications and media coverage at national level. Spain shows above EU27

average performance, the composite eco-innovation input index for Spain stands at 144, where the EU

average is 100.

In spite of having a high percentage of total R&D personnel and researchers (a total of 220,777 persons

worked the equivalent of full time on R&D activities in 2009, representing 11.69 per thousand of the total

working population)8, overall patenting activity in Spain, including patenting eco-inventions, is clearly

low. According to PATSTAT in 2008, the number of eco-innovation related patents (per million

inhabitants) was 2.36. According to the Spanish Sustainability Observatory9, Spain has one of the lowest

ratios of patents per million inhabitants in Europe, only higher than Greece and Portugal, and a long way

behind Austria, Germany, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The reasons for this

include10

a weak Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) system, which is a factor discouraging companies

from investing in Research Technology and Development (RTD) and applying for patents. According to

SCOPUS in 2010, the number of eco-innovation related publications was 3.26. The evolution of Spanish

publications11

in technological and scientific fields have increased considerably from the period from

2000-2009. Spain ranks ninth worldwide, ahead of India and is catching up with Italy.

The results of the Meltwater media monitoring showed that media coverage of eco-innovation is higher

than in many other EU countries. In this indicator Spain scores 321 against 100 for the EU average.

Environmental outcomes

As regards environmental outcomes, Spain shows above EU27 average performance, standing eleventh

in the best overall performance ranking. Material productivity indicators, water productivity, energy

productivity, GHC emissions intensity for Spain are all among the EU27 averages. The composite eco-

innovation input index for Spain stands at 101, where the EU average is 100.

Spanish material productivity grew between 2000 and 2007 from a rate of 1.11 to 1.34, below the EU

average (1.51 €/kg). In addition to this, between 2000 and 200712

, domestic material consumption

increased moderately. This unfavourable development was driven by significant increases in direct

material input (domestic extraction plus imports) that were not offset by the increase in exports.

Furthermore, higher material consumption means higher footprint. Between 2001 and 2009, energy

productivity rose by about 38% from 6.04 to 8.57 €/tonne of oil equivalents. This is because Spain13

has

a high dependence on fossil fuels imported from non-EU countries, particularly in natural gas imports,

accounting for 87% of total natural gas imports in EU27. In Spain, GDP growth14

is accompanied by

increased primary energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases and CO2.

Total greenhouse gas emissions (measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalents) decreased between 2000

and 2009. The main cause of the emissions reduction in 2009 was due to drop in economic activity,

together with improved primary energy efficiency and CO2 emission intensity. The Carbon Disclosure

Project 2010 report15

confirms that 10 Spanish Companies get top marks in their levels of commitment


and transparency on carbon emissions. For its electricity needs, the country currently largely relies on oil

(51.8%), natural gas (22%), coal (7.4%) and nuclear (9.8%). Renewable energy has grown considerably

as expressed by biomass (41%), wind (26%), hydraulic (18%), biofuels (9%) and solar (6%)16

. GHG

emissions intensity for the whole economy, however, is above the EU average (0.33kgCO2/€ compared

to 0.39kgCO2/€). In addition to this, industrial emissions have continued to rise. In 2009 (latest data

published by the Ministry of the Environment in 2007), they reached 34.85 Gg of CO2-eq, an increase of

32.40% since 199017

. In spite of this, industry's contribution to total emissions has fallen.

At the same time, ECO-IS data shows that water productivity, or the value of gross domestic products

produced per cubic meter of water, was 8.41€/m3 and water consumption was 93.98 m3/year in 2001.

According to the Spanish Sustainability Observatory18

, the latest data published in 2009 by the National

Statistics Institute, total water capture in Spain in 2007 was 3,763 Hm3, 63.3% of which came from

surface water, 32.60% from groundwater and only 3.40% from sea water and transitional waters

requiring desalination. There is a tendency for the volume of water captured for urban supply in Spain to

decline. This can be attributed to a lessening of urban demand and greater efficiency in the

transportation and use of water. Household water consumption continued to decline and had gone down

to 154 litres per inhabitant by 2008.

Socio economic outcomes

The socio economic outcomes indicator is based on the performance of eco-industries including exports,

employment and turnover. Spain's overall performance in terms of socio-economic outcomes is 27%

above EU27 average.

The share of eco-industry employment (1.86%) for the total Spain workforce was 25% higher than EU

average in 2008 (Ecorys). Spain is making a big effort to increase employment in eco-innovation

industries. The Spanish initiative19

“EmpleaVerde”, financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), aims to

promote and improve employment, worker’s qualifications, modernise and create companies and their

environmental reconversion. In 201020

, to face the economic crisis, employment in the environmental

sector has grown considerably with waste management as the principal sector.

Between 2004 and 2008, the share of eco-industry goods has increased in total export (EUROSTAT). In

2004 the share of eco-industry goods was approximately only one third of the community average

(0.21%) and in 2008 the share was approximately 27% above EU27 average (0.78%). Eco-industry

turnover as a share of GDP was only 1.08% or roughly 80% of the EU27 average in 2004. However in

2008 the share increased 3.21% (24% above EU27 average). These figures show that the eco-industry

sector is a mature sector with the capacity to export value added products.


3 | Leading eco-innovation areas and markets

The productive sectors and the economy in general display tendencies towards eco-efficiency in the

context of a reduction in economic activity (see figure 3.1). In the midst of the economic crisis, in 2008

industry spending on environmental protection increased by 3.9% over the year before, which points to

improved eco-efficiency of the production processes and a greater capacity for meeting the

requirements of current environmental policies21

.

In Spain the water and waste management sector have high participation in environmental employment.

Many initiatives have been taken in water efficiency (reuse of water, management of water resources,

collecting and purification systems, water quality control, etc.), waste management (energetic waste

recovery) and sustainable construction. Reduction in waste generation and improved waste

management reflect an approach to the prevention objective set out in the National Integrated Waste

Plan (PNIR) 2008-2015.

Figure 3.1 Eco-efficiency of the Spanish economy

Source: Produced by OSE, 2010

In the field of energy efficiency, the building segment absorbs much of the final consumption of energy

and therefore has a potential for savings, so it promotes the reduction of energy dependence and less

pollution. For that reason, eco-innovation activities are needed in the building sector. The approval of the

Technical Building Code and its revision22

in 2011 has had a positive impact on construction processes

(see Part 5). In 2010, the Energy Saving and Efficiency Plan for public buildings was approved in order

to convert public and private Spanish buildings into efficient buildings23

.


These initiatives have been identified as the leading areas in the 2010 eco-innovation brief for Spain.

These trends have continued in 2011, contributing towards processes that allow absolute decoupling

between economic growth and environmental degradation and resource use.

Eco-innovation markets

Eco-industry turnover as a share of GDP is 3.21% (24% above EU27 average). These figures show that

the eco-industry sector is a mature sector with the capacity to export added value products. The share of

eco-industry goods has increased in total export (EUROSTAT). In 2008 the share was above EU27

average (0.78%).

According to data from the INE (INE 2010), Spanish expenditure in R&D showed a decline of 1.7%

compared to 2009. However, the environmental sector of R&D has grown in recent years due to the

relative delay in research in Spain compared to other countries in Europe24

.

Figure 3.2 Number of jobs by activity sector in Spain

Source: Produced by OSE, 2010

Employment in the environmental sector in Spain represents at present 2.62% of the working population.

The eco-industry has grown considerably in this period, as much in the treatment and purifying of

wastewater as in the management and treatment of waste, concentrating more than a quarter of the total

for green jobs (140,343 jobs, 26.4% of the total). The population working in these activities has

multiplied almost fourfold. At the same time, employment has grown at a spectacular rate in

environmental services to companies; in green jobs in industrial companies and services; and in

environmental education and information. The evolution has been far more moderate in ecological

agriculture and stock breeding, where it has more than doubled; in forest management, where it has

grown by less than 50%, and in the public environmental sector25

.


Water efficiency

Spain is a world power in water technology; the geography and climate have encouraged the

development of a specialized and competitive industrial sector. Advanced water management

technologies applied include the following:

Membranes technologies which meet high water quality requirements;

Thermal drying technology which minimises the mud produced in purification by reducing the

volume of water contained;

The use of isobaric chambers to recover the energy contained in the rejection that is generated in

the water treatment process with high pressure membranes;

Remote control of Integrated Water Cycle Systems by remote stations;

Tanks rain water retention, of great importance to prevent flooding and pollution of the receiving

environment due to uncontrolled discharge of heavy rainfall events.

Spain has a great deal of interest in water technologies. Cetaqua26

, the Centre for Water Technology, is

a non-profit organisation, managing research, technological development and innovation in the field of

integrated water management, especially in the urban cycle. It is a platform specializing in water

treatment technologies using membranes and activated carbon, efficient management of infrastructure

including drainage systems, transportation and distribution of drinking water, urban drainage systems

and irrigation treatment plants. The Foundation Centre of New Water Technologies27

(CENTA) currently

occupies a prominent role in the water sector, comprising a multiplicity of functions and tasks aimed at

promoting better management of water resources following a supportive and participatory approach.

The Spanish Technology Platform of Water28

(PTEA) is a network of public-private cooperation for the

promotion of R&D. Its mission is innovation and constant improvement of technologies and processes

that apply to the sustainable management of water cycle, as well as improving employment,

competitiveness and internationalisation of the sector. One of Spain's actions in water management and

usage is the “Actualizations to Use and Management of Water” (A.G.U.A.)29

programme. With this

programme, Spain wants to develop activities in order to promote integrated water management,

meeting demands and resources availability. For that reason investments are managed to reduce water

consumption. The programme’s main objectives are optimising irrigation infrastructures, water

depuration and reutilisation, and water desalination.

Grey water reutilisation

Grey water has lower faecal load than waste water,

but they cannot be considered clean water. Studies

carried out in the United Kingdom and in Germany

shows that grey water has 451mg/l of DBO5. This

organic load should be reduced to prevent stagnant

water becoming a source of microorganism activity,

rotting and generating odours. HBio has designed a

Membranes Biological Reactor (MBR) purification

system, including equipment that provides nutrients

whilst guaranteeing biological treatment. This

system has been designed under two principles:

Quality of the water supply and uninterrupted service.

Source: www.hbio.es/HBiO_reto_XXi.html

http://www.hbio.es/HBiO_reto_XXi.html


Water purification system

The treatment plant 'La Presa', which provides

water to 900,000 people in Valencia and the Horta

Nord, has a new system of treatment by applying

ultraviolet light for disinfection of water from the

River Turia and Júcar-channel Turia, improving

color and taste of drinking water. Councilor for

Environmental Quality, María Àngels Ramón-Llin

presented the desinfection tool, and alters the

DNA of microorganisms, which prevents their

development.

Also she explained that the application of ultraviolet light in the treatment of drinking water has already

been applied in the plant to treat a flow of 3,000 liters second.

With the launch of this application Valencia becomes a European and international reference in the

field of water purification.

The installation of 'La Presa', is the largest of its kind in Spain, better than Barcelona that drinkable

2600 liters per second, and also improves the chances of other European plants such as Bonn or

Milan..

Source: www.infoagua.net/noticias/49/tecnologia/1074/valencia-instala-uno-de-los-mayores-sistemas-

de-europa-en-potabilizacion-del-agua-por-ultravioleta.aspx

Waste Treatment

The high methane content of biogas generated in waste landfills makes it an attractive energy source30

.

Some years ago, it was not profitable for use in motors under 500kw, but now with new technologies it

can be used in 30kw micro turbines with a lower methane concentration, and can therefore be applied to

a higher number of landfills in Spain. An environmental economic study (conducted by the Department

of Agricultural and Food Engineering and Biotechnology and the Technical University of Catalonia)

concluded that the use of new technologies in a pilot plant turned environmental and economic costs of

7,509€/year into profits of more than 21,000€/year, while avoiding the release of 140 tm of CO231

into

the atmosphere. Two types of energy are collected through biogas: thermal (which is often used to

evaporate leachate) and electricity (which can be sold to the national grid or used in landfill facilities).

Cetaqua the Centre for Water Technology has a line of R&D for waste recovery32

. The work has focused

on maximizing the production of biogas residues based on tests suitable for anaerobic co-digestion,

maximizing biogas production with technologies such as thermal hydrolysis, and using the biogas to

produce electricity through fuel cells. In particular, in the field of co-digestion, several industrial wastes

have been selected for use as co-substrate to add to the anaerobic digester next to the mud produced in

the process of purification. Tests have been conducted in pilot plants to study the treatment needed to

bring them into the industrial process. Likewise, it is studying the viability of gasifying the dried mud to

produce electricity.

http://www.infoagua.net/noticias/49/tecnologia/1074/valencia-instala-uno-de-los-mayores-sistemas-de-europa-en-potabilizacion-del-agua-por-ultravioleta.aspx

http://www.infoagua.net/noticias/49/tecnologia/1074/valencia-instala-uno-de-los-mayores-sistemas-de-europa-en-potabilizacion-del-agua-por-ultravioleta.aspx


Probiogas

It has developed sustainable

production systems by using agro-

industrial biogas as a renewable

energy source and demonstrate

the capacity of the biogas plants

in order to reduce CO2 emissions

and other greenhouse gases, as

well as promoting agro industrial

sustainable environments

(agriculture, livestock and food industries). The use of heat produced in cogeneration and the

possibility of recycling digestate as fertilizer are key elements in the new plant's economic feasibility.

Source: www.probiogas.es/

Sustainable Construction

There are considerable environmental problems arising from the building sector in Spain. This is a

consequence of how town planning has been developed (low density), but also of how the construction

sector has been run for many years using energy-inefficient materials, equipment and technologies.

Although there are a lot of environmental impacts derived from this sector, the most disturbing is the

high consumption of energy and increased emissions of greenhouse gases generated by existing

infrastructures. Solutions are necessarily tied to a restructuring of the construction sector, enhancing

their ability to generate more sustainable and skilled jobs, focusing on the rehabilitation of eco-energy

compact cities as the basis for urban and regional sustainability33

. Bioclimatic architecture criteria are

now being imposed in both residential buildings and housing, and public buildings. The architecture

integrates bioclimatic architecture in the socioeconomic environment and respects and guarantees the

preservation of the environment. Today there are some strong expectations for the coming years about

the increasing use of bioclimatic design software.

Construmat34

in Barcelona is one of the biggest annual trade fairs in construction in Europe, which in

2010 has chosen sustainable construction as one of the main remedies to successfully tackle the crisis

in the sector, as well as other challenges of the future. With an extensive range of conferences, debates

and exhibitions Construmat dedicated a larger area to sustainability and eco-efficiency in buildings. The

focus of the Government of Catalonia exhibition, for instance, was on restoration projects, rather than on

new architecture. Furthermore, the Construible.es35

portal was established as the first information source

in Spain solely dedicated to topics related to sustainable construction. In April 2011, Construible36

organised a panel of experts to discuss the new European Directive on energy performance of buildings

(2010/31/UE) and its implementation in Spain. Determining the estimated useful life-cycle of a building,

strategies for improving thermal performance, promoting passive measures, a common approach to

energy performance certificates of buildings and inspection of air conditioning facilities, the development

of smart metering systems and the installation of active control systems designed to save energy are

issues that have been analysed by experts at this meeting.

Spain Green Building Council is the first national association of non-profit leading construction

companies in the industry, working together to promote cities and buildings which are environmentally

responsible, profitable and healthy for people who live or work in them.37

Spain is the third country in

Europe in Building Rating Sustainable Systems (LEE) (Spain Green Building Council).

In May 201138

, the Foundation BSCD Environment, the Foundation of the Autonomous University of

Madrid (FUAM) and the company Milarium.com presented the platform Atecos, the first tool to provide

http://www.probiogas.es/

http://www.construmat.com/


advice to building professionals in search of improved energy and sustainable construction. In addition

to this, Ecoconstrucción39

is a sustainable building journal featuring different articles, interviews and

companies related to sustainability construction. Francisco Javier Méndez40

, Technical Cabinet of

Madrid Foreman Builder School, supports his student’s continuous improvement to promote sustainable

construction in his school.

Biolan

AmetsLab , Modular Architecture Eco-

technological SL is a new technology based

company set up in 2009 by Metrópoli Foundation

and Tecnalia after working together for several

years on projects involving intelligent territories

and energy efficiency in buildings. Its project,

Biolan, puts forward a new way of building,

aiming for zero energy, zero water and zero

waste.

Thus, AmetsLab specialises in high efficiency in

buildings and low environmental impact in the areas of energy, water and waste. It has developed an

industrialised and modular construction process.

Modular construction consists of three dimensional finished modules which are produced in a factory,

transported to the constructions site in trucks and assembled in situ with minimum impact on the

surrounding environment..

Source: http://edificacionindustrializada.com/2009/06/03/tecnalia-y-fundacion-metropoli-crean-la-

empresa-ametslab/

Low consumption housing state

In October 2010 , BASF came on the scene as the

main sponsor of Sustainability and Retrofitting

International Congress aiming to initiate a general

debate on building sustainability and rehabilitation.

Besides classic raw materials, BASF offers a

number of ready-to-use construction products such

as tile adhesives, industry and sports flooring,

Insulating System and Outside Finishing (EIFS)

and many more. The low consumption housing

project in Cerdanyola, Spain, part of a European

programme, is being developed in three Europeans

cities (Stuttgart, Turin and Cerdanyola). In this project, BASF has used materials that guarantee higher

saving and efficiency energy in building 112 apartments in Cerdanyola, thorough a joint agreement with

INCASOL (Catalonia’s public firm aiming to develop the following areas: soil production for services

and economic activities, residential soil production for housing, state subsidized housing building and

urban and historical heritage renovation).

Source: www.aislaciontermica.cl/aislaciontermica/uploads/multimedia/8107236252094661506basf.pdf

http://edificacionindustrializada.com/2009/06/03/tecnalia-y-fundacion-metropoli-crean-la-empresa-ametslab/

http://edificacionindustrializada.com/2009/06/03/tecnalia-y-fundacion-metropoli-crean-la-empresa-ametslab/

http://www.aislaciontermica.cl/aislaciontermica/uploads/multimedia/8107236252094661506basf.pdf


Insulation system

Saint-Gobain Isover is part of Saint-Gobain

Group, being the No. 1 manufacturer of insulating

materials in the world. It offers mineral wool, the

most complete range of insulation solutions, both

thermal and acoustic insulation and fire

protection.

According EURIMA (European Association of

Manufacturers of mineral wool) using isolation

techniques and systems both in the renovation

and construction of new buildings, Europe could

cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 460 million tons - more than overall reduction commitment

agreed in Kyoto.

Source: www.isover.es/Isover-y-la-Sostenibilidad

http://www.isover.es/Isover-y-la-Sostenibilidad


4 | New trends: areas and markets on the rise

The areas identified in 2010 can still be considered as emerging eco-innovation areas. The areas are:

Nanotechnologies and New Materials, Sustainable Mobility and Smart Grids-Demand Response.

Comprehensive systemic solutions for Smart Grids have been strongly promoted in the last year.

Several factors contribute to the upcoming of new promising eco-innovation areas and markets in Spain.

One example is the growing environmental sector of R&D; the Spanish Strategy for Sustainable Mobility

has increased awareness of the general population about the need for change towards sustainability.

These sectors are emerging strongly, pushed along by the introduction of environmental policies and

strategies for sustainability at different levels, scales, and for different sectors. The new Sustainable

Economy Law represents a step forward in recognizing the need for an exit from the crisis based on joint

solutions to the profound socio-environmental challenges.

Assessment of the Markets for upcoming eco-innovation areas is generally missing; however the

potential of these markets is clearly promising.

Smart Grids – Demand Response

The objective of Demand Response techniques41

is to influence energy consumption in order to reduce

or increase it within specific time periods to adapt it to current demand. This way, the electricity

generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure could be used in a more efficient way42

.

Intermittency problems in the generation/distribution of wind and solar can be overcome by smart grids.

This way, higher levels of renewable penetration can be achieved and electricity system operators can

take full advantage of renewable generation.

Spain is moving closer every day to smart grid technology. Among the companies involved, Siemens

works in the development of smart grids. Research by companies such as Siemens and its 'smart grids'

allows bidirectional and integrated communication between the electronic car, the loading point and the

network, in order to facilitate the management of surplus electricity in times of low or high demand43

. In

June 2010, the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Francisco Camps, and the President of

Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán, presented at the company offices in Castellón the project for implementation of

the first smart grid in Spain. It is a "pioneering” project in Spain, which is an important technological

transformation of the electricity distribution business and it makes Spain the most advanced country in

the world44

.

GAD

The Active Demand Management (GAD) project is led by

Iberdrola´s Networks Business Area as part of the National

Strategic Consortium for Technical Research (CENIT)

initiative. This was included in the Ingenio 2010

Programme to promote research, development and

innovation in Spain. A consortium of fifteen Spanish firms

and fourteen research centres is putting forward a

research project funded by the Ministry of Industry,

Tourism and Trade.

The aim of the project is to optimise electricity consumption for medium and low-voltage consumers,

through innovative demand side management mechanisms. The GAD Project involves an investment


of approximately €23m and sets out from the strategic aim of creating a stable cooperation framework

between leading research centres and firms, for outstanding research on an international scale.

Source: http://gad.ite.es/architecture.html; http://ict-sustainablehomes.org/2010/10/11/the-gad-project-

exhibits-at-ict-for-sustainable-homes/

SmartCity

SmartCity is a project which is being

developed in Malaga, specifically in the

area of Playa de la Misericordia, and with

it will benefit 300 industrial customers,

900 service and 11,000 households.

Renewable energy sources will be

integrated optimally in the network,

bringing generation to consumption

through the installation of photovoltaic

panels on public buildings, the use of

electrical microgeneration in some hotels

or installation of microeólic systems in the area. There will be energy storage systems, so that part of

the energy may be consumed after the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) of buildings,

street lighting and electric transport.

All clients involved in the project will have the new smart meters to enable more sustainable energy

consumption. Also, installation of advanced systems can act in real time and automatically on the

distribution network which may result in improving electrical supply quality.

Sources: www.fundacionentorno.org/ and http://portalsmartcity.sadiel.es/index.html

Nanotechnologies and New Materials

Nanotechnologies45

could play a key role in promoting eco-innovation in the design and development of

future multifunctional products, either by improving usual products or creating new functions and new

products with far better environmental characteristics than at present. These aspects have high

sustainable development46

potential thanks to consuming fewer materials and less energy and

generating less waste. Some nanotechnology applications are47

: fuel catalytic converter for cars, lower

consumption transport and new photovoltaic cells without silicon, which are more efficient, more flexible

and more economical, etc. In the future, nanotechnology will play a key role in energy management in

aspects such as fuel cells, hydrogen storage using carbon nanotubes or metal and ceramic

nanomaterials. Nevertheless48

, this huge evolution in the materials industry can only happen if the main

technological and economic challenges are solved in line with societal acceptance.

Nowadays, Spain is becoming one of the leading countries in nanotechnologies49

, thanks to developing

technical scientific infrastructures (ICTS). The “Synchrotron Alba” 50

is the Spanish electron accelerator

which will be used in the nanotechnology field, analysing new materials to change their properties

obtaining benefits such as more resistant and lighter materials, less pollutant materials and more energy

efficient materials. In Spain, there is a Nanotechnology Spanish Network called “NanoSpain”51

which

aims to promote knowledge exchange between Spanish groups working in different fields linked to

nanotechnology and nanoscience. Furthermore, it promotes joint work between universities, research

centres and industry. One of its actions52

included a strategic action for nanotechnology and

nanoscience in The National RTD Plan 2004-2007.

http://gad.ite.es/architecture.html

http://ict-sustainablehomes.org/2010/10/11/the-gad-project-exhibits-at-ict-for-sustainable-homes/

http://ict-sustainablehomes.org/2010/10/11/the-gad-project-exhibits-at-ict-for-sustainable-homes/

http://www.fundacionentorno.org/

http://portalsmartcity.sadiel.es/index.html


In 2010, Catalonia held the first international nanotechnology conference. Three hundred scientific

authorities and companies from 20 countries took part, organising joint projects between nano-material

research laboratories, industry, universities and European research infrastructures53

.

In Spain, the nanotechnology field54

is expanding in terms of the number of publications, European and

national project participation and industry interest (nowadays the industry is analysing a whole range of

possibilities in the nanotechnology field). Spanish RTD is at similar levels to other branches of science

and technology (about 2% of the work and in the top 12 countries among EU27 Members).

Powder Coating

The Technological Centre AIDO has developed an outer

powder coating which contains photocatalitic nano-

particules allowing the powder coating to self-clean.

Sunlight and humidity are required to cause

decomposition and oxidation of organic material

deposited on the painted surface, eliminating the

accumulating dirt. This project is supported by the

Science and Innovation Ministry and Regional

Development European Fund (FEDER).

In 1982, botanist Wilhelm Barthlott from the University of

Bonn in Germany discovered a naturally self-cleaning, water-repellent surface on lotus leaves. The

secret lies in its waxy microstructures and nanostructures that, due to their contact angle with water,

cause it to bead and roll away like mercury, gathering dirt as it goes. Barthlott patented his discovery,

calling it the Lotus Effect. It has found commercial applications in products such as Lotusan bio-

mimetic paint. In Spain, Beisser is a company located in Basque Country that sells Lotusan as a

product.

Source: www.aido.es/sala-de-prensa/noticias/i/100161/60/aido-desarrolla-una-pintura-en-polvo-que-

se-limpia-con-la-luz-del-sol

Sustainable Mobility

Data on the evolution of transport demand covering the 1990-2007 period shows an increase in demand

in both the EU and Spain; the latter suffered more from the negative consequences of this trend. In fact,

it cancelled out the improved energy and environmental efficiency achieved in other sectors.

Greenhouse gas emissions from transport have increased. According to estimates from the Ministry of

the Environment and Rural and Maritime Affairs, they went up by 76% in the 1990-2009 period, although

NO2 emissions gradually declined (by 6.20%) to 481.40 kt in 2007.

Although the latest data on transport growth available in 200955

comes from before the economic crisis

in 2008, the trend points towards an easing of environmental pressures as a result of a foreseeable

reduction of transport activity, where for the first time there has been a 3.40% reduction in overall energy

consumption across all modes of transport. Since 2005 energy consumption has been gradually

dropping, going down in 2008 to 49.15 ktoe/million Euro, which means 4% less than the previous year.

In April, 2009, the Spanish Strategy for Sustainable Mobility 56

was adopted, setting up guidelines and

measures to support sustainable mobility: priority measures for public transport, raising investment in

transport infrastructures, infrastructures reserved for public transport (BUS lane), railroad rehabilitation,

promoting public transport access and services to offer more efficient mobility alternatives to private cars

57.

http://www.aido.es/sala-de-prensa/noticias/i/100161/60/aido-desarrolla-una-pintura-en-polvo-que-se-limpia-con-la-luz-del-sol

http://www.aido.es/sala-de-prensa/noticias/i/100161/60/aido-desarrolla-una-pintura-en-polvo-que-se-limpia-con-la-luz-del-sol


In Spain, activities and projects incorporate ecological techniques to get a cleaner and more efficient

transport such as electric cars. In recent decades the automobile industry has made remarkable

progress in reducing environmental impact along the life cycle of its product, thanks to the introduction of

technological innovations that improve the energy efficiency of motors and reduce their consumption.

According to the National Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC), vehicles

manufactured today produce 95% fewer emissions than those produced in 1970. In 2009 the Integral

Automotive Plan was approved and one of its main strategic lines is the renewal of the sector towards

more eco-efficient and sustainable cars58

. In addition to this, the Plan 2000E is an initiative from the

Spanish Government to stimulate purchasing more environmentally friendly cars59

. To improve air

quality, it has been proposed to use alternative fuels such as biofuels. The draft law on Sustainable

Economy promotes programmes to develop electrical cars and the infrastructures needed for their

recharging60

.

In 2006, another important aspect was setting up Ecourbano61

, a website to provide training and

information to citizens, helping sustainable construction of cities through knowledge. ECOMOVE is the

portal of the vehicle and sustainable mobility. In 2011 it organised a panel of experts, who investigated

the relationship between electric vehicles and residential buildings. It analysed the implications of

electric vehicle charging on the energy management of residential buildings, which are the main places

that the user will use to feed the batteries62

.

Electric Vehicle

Endesa has set out a policy for developing a

sustainable transport model based on electrical

vehicles as one of the main ways of combating

climate change, a cornerstone for its Strategic

Sustainability Plan 2008-2012. Endesa is

participating in the Green Park and development of

the Government Electric Mobility Plan (Movele), as

well as other projects for integrating intelligent

networks such as SmartCity, DER-22@, REVE and

projects for research and demonstration of electrical

vehicles in Europe, such as G4V and ELVIRA.

In the Energy Efficiency category, the award for

electric mobility development has been granted to

Endesa for its contribution to developing electrical

mobility through demonstration projects, involvement in RTD consortium and working groups,

standards groups and standardization agreements, developing a green fleet plan and promotional

activities.

Source: www.ecomove.es/noticiasDetalle.aspx?id=992&c=7&idm=11&pat=11

http://www.ecomove.es/noticiasDetalle.aspx?id=992&c=7&idm=11&pat=11


5 | Public policy in support of eco-innovation

In general Spain’s public policy supporting eco-innovations is represented by a mix of first and second

generation policies1 addressing pollution control technologies and resources and energy efficiency

measures. Although there is an increasing understanding of the importance of sustainable consumption

and production policies addressing systemic and transformative innovations are not yet in place.

Eco-innovation is largely reflected through such concepts as resource efficiency, environmental

innovations, clean technologies, sustainable development and is directly and indirectly promoted by

several national and regional policy strategies. In 2005, the Spanish government prepared a national

roadmap to support eco-innovation and environmental technologies development within the framework

of exchanging good practices within the Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP) environment.

The current RTD Plan 2008-2011 has been structured along several transverse sub-programmes

including a sub-programme focusing on environmental technologies and eco-innovation plus energy and

climate change strategic actions.

The Spanish Strategy on Sustainable Development, approved in November 2007 establishes the need

to use natural resources efficiently and rationally, particularly energy, water, biodiversity and soils, and to

develop active policies to mitigate the determinants of climate change in all production sectors, among

them energy and transport, in a holistic approach, in a framework of responsible consumption and

production, ensuring the availability and quality of these resources compatible with economic growth and

climate change threats. Specific chapters of the Strategy, mainly the one on Consumption and

Production, as well as the one on Climate Change, focus on increasing efficiency in the use and saving

of resources in all the economic sectors. Measures foreseen in the Strategy include the Action Plan

2008-2012 on Energy Saving and Efficiency, the National Plan on Waste 2008-2015, Sustainable

Mobility Plans, Local and Urban Sustainability Strategies, Inter-modal systems in transport, particularly

in merchandises, as well as promoting Tourism Sustainability Future E Plan, approved in 2009 (Ministry

of Industry, Trade and Tourism).

A number of supply and demand side policy measures have been adopted to facilitate eco-innovations

in the country (see Figure 5.1 and Annex 1 for the overview of the policy measures). Supply side

measures are represented by a set of schemes supporting R&D, business activities, training and

networking. A set of demand-side policy measures to support eco-innovative activities, products and

services include a package of regulations and standards, support of private and public demand via eco-

taxing, green public procurement and awareness raising initiatives.

The National Plan on Green Public Procurement, approved by the Council of Ministers on 11th January

200863

, aims at promoting environmentally-friendly practices in General State Administrations, Public

Institutions and Social Security Entities Public Procurement, among them, practices aimed at promoting

resource efficiency. In this respect, the Plan promotes measures that are expected to reduce the carbon

footprint, move towards climate change objectives, reduce pressure on the environment, contribute to a

more sustainable use of natural resources, drive innovation and boost the competitiveness of the

industries that supply goods and services to the Administrations and set an example for private and

corporate consumers, so that citizens’ expectations are met. Furthermore, the Innovation State Strategy

1 First generation policies support mostly innovative solutions improving pollution control and other end-of-pipe

environmental technologies; Second generation policies support eco-innovation resulting in greater resource and energy

efficiency in production processes. There is a realisation that eco-innovation can have both economic and environmental

benefits; Third generation policies support systemic (transformative and radical) eco-innovations aiming at changing

production and consumption patterns. Measures include value chain management, re-designing cities, industrial

ecology/symbiosis, new business models providing alternative solutions (e.g. product service systems)


(e2i) 64

has been developed prioritising green economy (energy and environment), health economy and

innovations in Administrations and in industry.

Figure 5.1 Policy measures addressing eco-innovations in Spain

Group of policy

measures

Focus of policy measures (tick if relevant)

Generic focus on

eco-innovation

Resource efficiency improve

ment

Energy efficiency improve

ment

Reduction of

emissions incl. CO2

Other relevant

areas (e.g. renewable

energy, etc)

SUP

PLY

SID

E FO

CU

S

Equity/business support

Venture capital funds

Public guarantee funds X

Support for R&D in public sector and

industry

R&D funding X X X X X Collaborative grants X

R&D infrastructure X

Fiscal measures Tax incentives for R&D and start-ups

Tax incentives for R&D personnel

Education, training and mobility

Tailored training courses for companies, entrepreneurs

X

Advise/consulting for start-ups, companies, entrepreneurs

X

Placement schemes for students

Support for R&D workers recruitments

Networks and partnerships

Competence centres, clusters, science-technology parks

X X X X X

Technology platforms and innovation networks

X X X X X

Foresight and common vision building X X X X X Market intelligence and other forms of

information sharing

DEM

AN

D S

IDE

FOC

US

Regulations and standards

Regulations, targets, cap & trade schemes X X X X X Performance standards, labelling,

certification X

Public procurement

“Green“ public procurement of goods and services

X X

R&D procurement

Pre-commercial procurement

Technology Transfer

Advisory support for technology adopters Financial or fiscal support for technology

adopters (e.g. grants for purchasing new technology)

X

Support of private demand

Tax incentives for consumers (e.g. for purchasing environmentally efficient

products) X

Tax reductions for products and services (e.g. VAT reductions)

Demand subsidies (e.g. eco-vouchers, consumer subsidies)

Awareness raising and information provision X


Other national policies promoting eco-innovations are the following:

Waste policies:

Related to waste, the “New National Integrated Waste Plan 2008 – 2015” (PNIR) 65

has been launched.

It includes urban waste, hazardous waste, waste with specific legislation (such as WEEEs, old tyres, end

of life vehicles, batteries, PCB/PCT, construction and demolition waste), polluted soils, as well as some

agricultural waste and non-hazardous industry wastes that do not have specific legislation but are

relevant because of their amount and impact on the environment. The draft of Law on Waste

(transposition of Waste Framework Directive 98/2008/EC) promotes resource efficiency through the

promotion of waste prevention and the sustainable management of waste. The PNIR also includes the

Strategy for the Reduction of Biodegradable spill leaks, which intends to enlarge landfills, so as to

reduce Greenhouse emissions and the impact on the environment66

. The PNIR has a budget67

of

€116.80m.

Building policies:

Technical Building Code68

: As the main background we should mention the Royal Decrees 314/2006

(approval of Technical Building Code), 1027/2007 (approval of the review of the RITE regulation) and

47/2007 (approval of the procedure of New Built Buildings Energy Certification) and Law 38/1999 of 5th

November, of the Town and Building Planning and Development Act. The Technical Building Code is the

legal framework that includes basic documents, among them one on energy saving and another on

protection against noise, thus linked to efficiency criteria and requirements. The Council of Ministers of

20th July 2007 approved the agreement to establish a Saving and Energy Efficiency in State General

Administration Buildings Plan, so that these Public Administrations and dependent Institutions, Societies

and Organisations incorporate management and technical measures which save energy, exert a positive

influence and set an example to the citizens.

Transport Policies:

In transport, the Strategic Plan for Infrastructure and Transport 69

(PEIT) has been developed. The PEIT

has a budget70

of €241.392m. On 30th April 2009 the Council of Ministers approved the Spanish

Strategy on Sustainable Mobility (EEMS)71

. This Strategy is the national reference integrating principles

and tools on sustainable and low carbon mobility. Transport systems are thus expected to respond to

the economic, social and environmental needs and at the same time minimise their negative impact. 48

measures are articulated in 5 areas: territory, transport and infrastructure planning, climate change and

energy dependency reduction, air quality and noise, safety and health, and demand management.

Mobility sustainable alternatives to private car, inter- modal alternatives and urban planning are analysed

in the Strategy.

Energy Policies:

The Council of Ministers approved on 20th July 2007 a new Action Plan, period 2008 – 201272

, of the

Spanish Strategy on Energy Efficiency and Saving 2004-2012. A saving of 87.9 million oil equivalent

tonnes (equivalent to 60% of the primary energy consumption in Spain in 2006) will avoid the emission

of 238 million tonnes CO2 to the air. Total investment in the Spanish Strategy for Energy Savings and

Efficiency in Spain 2004-2012 73

is €2,367m. This Plan is in accordance to Directive2006/32/EC. With

reference to biomass for energy use, the Renewable Energy Plan (PANER) (2005-2010)74

foresees

increases from the 2004 production level (344 MW) to 1,695 MW by 2010. Households accounted for

48.5% of total consumption in 2005, pulp and paper 17.6%, timber & furniture industry 12.23%. Biomass


in Spain, both in electric and in thermal production, is the most important renewable source of energy

(IDAE data, 2009), with 3.9% of energy supply contribution, followed by wind (2.4%) and hydraulic

(1.7%). “Pellets” production in Spain has increased (x10) from 2006 to 2009 (600,000 tons in 2009).

Gasification technology in co-generation <2MW plants is outstanding in Spain. Concerning co-

combustion, several power plants with agri-forest biomass are being tested. The Renewable Energy

Plan has a budget75

of €67m.

Water policies:

“The National Water Quality Plan: cleaning up and purification 2007-201576”

has been drawn up by the

Ministry for the Environment. The new plan wants to meet the objectives of the last plan as well as the

new requirements from the “water directive” and “programme A.G.U.A.”. The total investment is

€19,007m. A.G.U.A. Programme (Actions for the Management and Use of Water) was presented in

2004. This Programme puts into new order water policy, through the explanation and extension of the

specific actions designed to guarantee the availability and quality of water in each territory. The

Programme includes actions to improve the management and supply of quality water to optimize the

existing storage and distribution infrastructures (both irrigation and urban supply ones), treatment, re-use

and removing salt. Other specific plans and programmes77

are being executed to face up to the main

water challenges in a sustainable way:

National Plan on Water Quality: Water Treatment and Sanitation (2007-2015)

Action Plan for a Sustainable Underground Water Management (2006-2010)

National Plan on Irrigated Lands-Horizon 200878

. The approval of the Royal Decree on the Irrigated

Lands Sustainable Modernisation National Strategy-Horizon 2015 is foreseen in 2011. Its aims include

increasing efficiency in water management, promoting this resource saving, improving environment

sustainability, harmonizing irrigation lands modernisation with the maintenance of good agricultural

practices and use of the most advanced technologies to avoid pollution of surface water and

groundwater, as well as improving conditions of flora and fauna, soils and landscape in irrigated areas.


6 | Main findings

6.1 Strengths and weaknesses of eco-innovation in Spain

Current strengths of Spain in the promotion of eco-innovation include the high number of EMAS

certificated organisations. Spain has 1,235 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme certified workplaces,

which puts the country in one of the leading positions in Europe. Most of the certificates are issued in the

service and hospitality sectors, and in the Autonomous Communities of Catalonia and Madrid. In

addition to this, Spain has the sixth highest number of certified eco-labelled products (51) in the EU.

Furthermore, Spain is for the fourth consecutive year, the third country in the world and first in Europe in

number of Environmental Management Systems certified ISO 14001, 16,443 certificates.

Spain has renowned RTD Centres developing new technologies79

: Ciemat (Energetic Technological

Environmental Investment Centre), Circe (Resources and Energetic Consumption Investment Centre),

CINN (Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials Technological Centre), CETAQUA80

(Water Technological

Centre), IMAT81

(Construction Technological Centre), ITCL82

(Castilla y Leon Technological Institute),

Tecnalia R&I83

(Tecnalia Research & Innovation Centre) and GIRO84

(Organics Waste Integral

Management). Furthermore, Spain has wide-ranging experiences in grid integration and electricity

markets85

: CECRE (Control Centre for Renewable Energies. It is making an enormous effort to increase

energy efficiency in products and services. In Spain, the Spanish Energy Efficiency Technology

Platform86

works towards innovation in technology for products and services that contribute to more

intelligent and sustainable consumption of the different forms of energy. It encourages the public,

industrial and scientific sectors to work together to promote R&D+i in domestic energy efficiency.

In turn, Spain has the Institute for Energy Saving and Diversification87

, (IDAE), a Public Business Entity,

associated with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, under the auspices of the Secretary of State

for Energy. The IDAE's work in the industrial sector is characterised by financing or participating in

money-saving and fuel substitution projects, in order to make production processes more efficient,

helping to increase competitiveness and reduce emissions. It also runs activities and projects that

promote energy efficiency and diversification in terms of mobility for persons and goods, particularly in

the roads sub-sector, paying particular attention to consumption in cities. Additionally, there is the

National Insulating Material Manufacturer Association88

(ANDIMAT) including all manufacturing

companies working on the Spanish market. Its main objective is to promote the insulation market by

raising awareness regarding its benefits in terms of saving energy and protecting the environment. In

this way, it has become the benchmark for Administration and any entity related to the sector.

The track record of companies in the green economy in the last decade has led to a remarkable level of

good human capital in science & technology in the field of eco-innovation, a factor that implies strength

when entering emerging markets and for generating employment. The relevance of the green economy

as a potential generator of economic activity and employment is not limited to direct effects. The demand

for goods and services from companies in the green economy has a multiplier effect on the non-

environmental productive fabric of the country through the outsourcing of operations for production of

components and services.

Current weaknesses of the country can be found in the insufficient participation of the private sector in

the funding of environmental R&D+i. This is despite the substantial budgetary effort of recent years and

a reduction in Spain's “environmental deficit” thanks to the application of environmental regulations and

the progressive compliance with objectives.


Another weakness is the lack of organisation at an institutional level, as this involves many entities,

organisations, programmes and funds over a wide geographical area (European, Spanish, Regional) for

Eco-Innovation and Environmental Technologies. The lack of collaboration between research centres

and companies in Spain makes technology transfer and RTD difficult. One of the main causes89

revolves

around limited knowledge and lack of assessment from technology transfer offices. In addition, RTD

from universities and public research centres is not oriented to corporate technological needs. These

agents are not used to applying for patents and setting up companies. Spain has an excessive

dependence on grants and subsidies90

. The public sector through its grants and subsidies is another

important financial source.

There is poor consumer awareness regarding eco-innovation advantages. Market prices do not reflect

the ecological advantages91

and so there is a very low demand for eco-innovation both among

consumers and businesses. Although the Future Sustainable92

study shows that 43% of consumers are

aware of the environment and consider environmental aspects to be important, they do not know exactly

what eco-innovation means and what type of measures are available to help the environment.

Figure 6.1 Strengths and Weaknesses of Spain in promotion of eco-innovations

Strengths Weaknesses

- Strong environmental management culture in

organisations/companies

- Renowned RTD Centres developing new

technologies93

:

- Significant effort to increase energy efficiency in

products and services.

- High participation of Spanish science (3.54% of world

scientific publications) and critical mass of

researchers and institutions in R&D94

.

- The adjustment of environmental industries to

regulations enables them to be in an advanced

position in the development of their activity within the

existing regulatory framework95

.

- Good human capital in science & technology in the

field of eco-innovation

- Spain has a strong policy agenda focused on

greening the economy

- Public funding for environmental innovation is

insufficient, and access to financing is complicated.

- R&D+i environmental taxation deductions require

accreditations and certifications which companies find

unattractive96

.

- Excessive dependence on public grants and

subsidies97

.

- Lack of collaboration between companies,

universities and technological centres.

- Poor consumer awareness regarding eco-innovation

advantages.

6.2 Opportunities and Threats for eco-innovations in Spain

There are a number of trends observed in Spain which can bring opportunities for developing and

implementing eco-innovation in the future. The opportunities, however, flourish more visibly when there

are clear signs of highly professional environmental sectors with high levels of quality products, a strong

international presence and the capacity to penetrate and stay in foreign markets.

The current economic context can be an opportunity for pushing for necessary changes in the

production pattern towards an economy that offers a greater diversity of alternatives, and economic and

social opportunities that are more eco-efficient and more integrated in the environment. To overcome the

systemic lack of sustainability in the current development model, there is a need to progress towards a

new economy based on ecological principles that are capable of generating new sources of green jobs.

The new Sustainable Economy Law represents a step forward in recognizing the need to exit the crisis

based on joint solutions to the profound socio-environmental challenges. The development of a very

favourable regulatory framework characterized by the introduction of specific legislation in new areas of


environmental management (soil, sound), the revision of obsolete rules, and the launch of new

mechanisms that have prompted a change in focus on the control of contamination on the part of

companies and public administrations (Law 16/2002, of 1 July, Integrated Prevention and Control of

Contamination, Environmental Responsibility Law, Environmental Evaluation Strategy...) is stimulating

the demand for environmental goods and services.

Sustainable public contracting is one of the keys to the development of green jobs in the Spanish

economy, given the high level of public spending as a percentage of GDP. The recently approved Plan

for Green Public Contracting from the General State Administration and its public bodies, and the

Managing Bodies for Social Security (2008) could be a notable stimulus for incorporating the

environmental variable in business management, by motivating demand for green products and

services. In recent years different policies have taken account to bring opportunities for developing and

implementing eco-innovation in the future (national roadmap98

to support eco-innovation and

environmental technologies development, the current RTD Plan 2008-201199

, Spanish Strategy on

Sustainable Development, etc. (see Part 5).

Spain has a high dependence on fossil fuels imported from non-EU countries, particularly in natural gas

imports. However, higher oil prices in the short term are one of the main incentives for the growth

of alternative fuel production activities.100.

In recent years, new channels of information (social networks, blogs, and platforms) facilitate the

dissemination of environmental information, opening a range of products and services in which this

sector can expand, and which raise awareness among citizens in environmental problems, creating a

greater interest in the general public areas of environmental education101

..

The economic crisis could change the political-institutional and economic-financial conditions that have

favoured the recent evolution of eco-innovation. The uncertainty generated by this situation as regards

the recuperation of investments, as well as the financing problems facing companies because of credit

restrictions, could cause in the short term a slowdown, stagnation, or even a temporary regression in the

growth of some areas of the green economy The stagnation in public sector environmental plans,

programmes and measures could have an indirect effect in the context of the current crisis due medium-

term budgetary restrictions imposed on the growth of public debt.. Given that environmental legislation

has until now been one of the basic motors for the green economy, the lack of control over the way it is

carried out eliminates the incentives generated by the regulations, which conditions the demand for

environmental products and services102.

Poor collaboration between research centres and companies in Spain makes technology transfer and

RTD difficult. One of the main causes103

revolves around limited knowledge and lack of assessment from

technology transfer offices. In addition, RTD from universities and public research centres is not oriented

to corporate technological needs. These agents are not used to applying for patents and setting up

companies. On the other hand, the enormous potential of research centres is not exploited in Spain. In

addition, results from research work are limited, as reflected in the low number of patents. This is mainly

due to the limited number of researchers plus difficult access to European funds. Furthermore, research

budgets have been reduced in the current recession.


Figure 6.2 Opportunities and Threats for eco-innovations in Spain

Opportunities Threats

- Crisis in the current development model and the bid to

create a new sustainable economy

- Pressure of environmental regulations on companies

- Sustainable public contracting

- Putting eco-innovation policies into action

- Evolution of the oil market

- Disseminated information and education in recent

years

- Current economic crisis

- Lack of public resources for establishing public

policies and programmes dealing with the

environment

- Lack of administrative control

- Low number of patents

- Weak conscience and lack of sensitivity toward the

environment on the part of industry and citizens


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Annex 1. Policy measures addressing eco-innovations in Spain

Group of policy

measures Type of policy measure

Specific measure Please provide reference to or brief summary of specific measures (national,

regional) add cells if necessary

Focus of policy measure (tick if relevant)

Generic focus on

eco-innovation

Resource efficiency improve

ment

Energy efficiency improve

ment

Reduction of emissions incl. CO2

Other relevant

areas (e.g. renewable

energy, etc)

SUP

PLY

SID

E FO

CU

S

Equity/business support

Venture capital funds

MICINN has created a venture capital society to meet the initiative "InnVierte Sustainable Economy". It is designed to handle 300 million with the aim of mobilizing 1,000 million in a private public format, designed for the enterprise and technological SME growth and internationalization

-

-

Public guarantee funds

The Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) coordinates environmental grants with other agencies such as the Biodiversity Foundation. This way, grant programs arise for job creation with environmental benefits (Emplea Verde),

grants for activities in the field of Biodiversity, Climate Change

and Sustainable Development, or grants for national R&D project with environmental benefits within the National RTD Plan 2008-2011, managed by the Centre for Industrial Technology Development (CDTI)

X

Support for R&D in public sector

and industry

R&D funding

National RTD Plan 2008-2011 X X

National Integrated Waste Plan 2008-2015 X

National Plan for Infrastructure and Transport X X

National Plan for Energy Savings and Efficiency 2004-2012 X X

National Renewable Energy Plan 2005-2010 X

National Water Quality Plan 2007-2015 X

National Plan on Irrigated Lands X

National Forestry Plan X X

Collaborative grants

Program to support Innovative Business Groups (AEI-MICINN) Program to support Technological Platforms (INNFLUYE)-MICINN) Program to create and consolidate technology centres (CREA-MICINN)

X

The ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, through the Energy Diversification and Saving Institute (IDAE), has promoted a programme to encourage enterprises to do energy savings and efficiency technologies investment projects located in at least two Autonomous Community territories, as well as innovative and outstanding projects in industry, building, services, energy transformation or transport areas.


R&D infrastructure

The Association of Technology Parks of Spain (APTE). Its members (84 members) are scientific and technological parks are located in 17 different regions

X

Fiscal measures

Tax incentives for R&D and start-ups

Tax Deductions for R&D - Instruments used by the Central Government to promote research, development and innovation NEOTEC Initiative (CDTI)

Tax incentives for R&D personnel

Personal Training Program Research (FPI-MICINN) Teacher Training Program University (FPU-MICINN)

Education, training and

mobility

Tailored training courses for companies, entrepreneurs

Ihobe is a public company established in the field of management and environmental protection. It provides advice to companies and research organizations on innovation projects start, implantations, funding, and in technology transfer.

X

Advise/consulting for start-ups, companies, entrepreneurs

Ihobe is a public company established in the field of management and environmental protection. It provides advice to companies and research organizations on innovation projects start, implementations, funding, and in technology transfer. MICINN is the Ministry of Science and Innovation advising companies and research organizations on innovation projects start, implantations, funding, and in technology transfer. The Business Incubator of the Community of Madrid (VSL-CAM) is a service of support and advice to carry out R & D + I succeeded.

X

Placement schemes for students

Spain takes part in the ERASMUS-MUNDUS student exchange programme

Support for R&D workers recruitments

Special scheme exist for mobility of academic workers (e.g. exchange/attracting foreign researchers)

Networks and partnerships

Competence centres, clusters, science-technology

parks

Ciemat

(Energetic Technological Environmental Investment Centre), Circe (Resources and Energetic Consumption Investment Centre), CINN

(Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials Technological Centre), CETAQUA (Water

X X X X X


Technological Centre), IMAT (Construction Technological Centre), ITCL (Castilla y

Leon Technological Institute), Tecnalia R&I

(Tecnalia Research & Innovation Centre), GIRO

(Organics Waste Integral Management), CECRE (Control Centre for

Renewable Energies

The Association of Technology Parks of Spain (APTE). Its members (84 members) are scientific and technological parks are located in 17 different regions.

Clusters: Aeronautical sector: Helice Foundation AERA (Aeronautical Association aeronautical aragonesa), Barcelona Aeronautics and Space, Madrid Platform Association Aeronautics and Space and Cluster Association of Aeronautics and Space of the Basque Country

Water sector: Water Canary Foundation Centre

Automotive sector: Innovative Business Group of Automotive Industry in the

Province of Jaen Automotive Cluster Association of Aragon , Automotive

Association Forum Cantabria-Regional Initiatives Group Automotive, Automotive Forum of Castilla y León(FACYL), Business Foundation Cluster Galician

Automotive (CEAGA), Madrid Association Automotive Platform, Valencia

Association Automotive Industry (AVIA)

Biotechnology sector: Private Foundation Of Catalonia, Catalan Association of

Biotechnology Companies, Madrid Platform Association of Biotechnology,

Biotechnology Companies Association Of Valencia,

Construction sector: Cluster of Construction

Energy sector: Spanish Association Of Biomass Energy Recovery, Energy

Efficiency Cluster of Catalonia (CEEC), Energy and Sustainable Environment from

Galicia (AEI) Biomass & Energy Cluster (CEB&E), Regional Cluster Renewable

Energy and Sustainability

Basque Ecodesign Centre : It is an entity created in a collaboration between private sector companies and the Basque government whose objective is the design and implementation of innovative ecodesign projects

Technology platforms and innovation networks

Environmental Technology Spanish Platform PLANETA) X X X X

ECO -UNION X X X X X

Green Jobs Platform For Communication And Sustainable Economy X X X X X

Water and Sustainability Platform X X

Platform for urban and regional sustainability X

Foresight and common vision building

National roadmap X X X X X

Market intelligence and other forms of information


sharing D

EMA

ND

SID

E FO

CU

S

Regulations and standards

Regulations, targets, cap & trade schemes

National roadmap X X X X X

Spanish Strategy on Sustainable Development X X X

Spanish Strategy for Climate Change and Clean Energy X X

Technical Building Code X

Solar Ordinances for Thermal Use X

Spanish Strategy on Sustainable Mobility X X

Royal Decree on the Irrigated Lands Sustainable Modernization National Strategy-Horizon 2015

X

Emissions Trading Scheme national law X X

Marine Environment protection national law X

IPCC Directive framework X

Performance standards, labelling, certification

ISO 14001 X

Eco-labelled products X

EMAS certificated organisations X

Public procurement

“Green“ public procurement of goods and services

National Plan on Green Public Procurement X

Innovation State Strategy X

R&D procurement

Pre-commercial procurement

Technology Transfer

Advisory support for technology adopters

The Business Incubator "Genesis" is a temporary host structure to locate businesses in their first steps on the market, accompany and provide certain services tailored to the needs of each business project

Financial or fiscal support for technology adopters

(e.g. grants for purchasing new technology)

Program of experimental development projects on the environment and eco-innovation, National Parks subsector (MICINN)

X

Support of private demand

Tax incentives for consumers (e.g. for purchasing

environmentally efficient products)

Eco-tax: Taxes to promote ecologically sustainable activities via economic incentives.

X

Tax reductions for products and services (e.g. VAT

reductions)

Demand subsidies (e.g. eco-vouchers, consumer

subsidies)

Awareness raising and There are many activities aimed at awareness raising promoted through local X X X X X


information provision community governments, environmental agencies, etc.

EIO Country Profile: <Country Name> 42

About the

Eco-Innovation

Observatory (EIO)

The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is a 3-year initiative financed by the European

Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment from the Competitiveness and

Innovation framework Programme (CIP). The Observatory is developing an integrated

information source and a series of analyses on eco-innovation trends and markets, targeting

business, innovation service providers, policy makers as well as researchers and analysts.

The EIO directly informs two major EU initiatives: the Environmental Technologies Action Plan

(ETAP) and Europe INNOVA.

Visit our website and register to get access to more information

and to discuss all EIO reports, briefs and databases.

www.eco-innovation.eu

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eco-innovation in spain · ms. luisa serrano perez, ministry of environment and rural and marine...

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