EU-South cooperation perspectives in eco-innovation

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: literature review good practices collection interviews expert group discussions

Outline of the presentation

• 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

Source: own calculation based on CIS 2006-2008 data

% companies with material efficiency eco-innovations

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 Imports

Source: own calculations based on COMTRADE

Source: Own calculation based on Patstat

North-South eco-innovation gap: Environmental patents

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

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 eco-innovation support measures (supply and demand)

Work towards global targets for resource efficiency, renewable energy, waste, footprints

THANK YOU!

• 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

The Eco-Innovation Observatory

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

News including surveys and

events

More than 150 examples of

eco-innovation from all EU

member states

Interactive on-line database (charts and maps)

All EIO reports and

briefs

EU27 country pages including country

briefs

Interactive presentation

Comprehensive search function