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Eco-innovation for a sustainable future The EU Environmental Technologies Action Plan Progress and Next Steps. Environmental technologies All technologies preventing or treating pollution, managing resources or using them more cost-efficiently Eco-innovation
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Eco-innovation for a sustainable futureThe EU Environmental Technologies Action PlanProgress and Next Steps DG Environment European Commission
Environmental technologies All technologies preventing or treating pollution, managing resources or using them more cost-efficiently Eco-innovation All forms of innovation (new products and services, production processes, business methods) benefiting to the environment DG Environment European Commission
Goteborg Summit on Sustainable Development Environmental technologies are a win-win solution for the environment and the economy (2001) Review of the Sustainable Development Strategy (2005) EU to work with Member States to promote eco-innovation and to expand the market for eco-technologies Policy context DG Environment European Commission
Policy context II Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs • Knowledge and innovation for growth: Facilitate innovation, the uptake of ICT and the sustainable use of resources Communication ‘Putting knowledge into practice’ (2006) calls for lead markets in eco-innovation DG Environment European Commission
Unsustainable use of natural resources UN Millenium Assessment (2005): two thirds of necessary ecosystem services are in decline. Climate change Severe consequences and financial costs of inaction (Stern Report, 2006) – solutions exist Water scarcity and poor quality More than 1 billion people use unsafe sources of drinking; 2.6 billion do not have basic sanitation Global challenges DG Environment European Commission
Environment is both a constraint and source of opportunities If not addressed, global challenges will act as a break on future growth and hinder prosperity Eco-innovation can contribute to economic growth while reducing its impact on the environment New markets and business opportunities Climate change and resources management as innovation drivers: energy efficiency in building, hybrid cars, renewables Eco-industries should be encouraged Already more than 2% of EU GDP and growing quickly Clean technologies attract 10% of risk capital in Europe EU policy rationale DG Environment European Commission
Getting from Research to Markets Improving Market Conditions ETAP Acting Globally DG Environment European Commission
Focus R&D programmes and Technology Platforms • At least €1.4 billion for environmental technologies under FP6 since 2004 • Under 7th Framework Programme support could be up to €10 billion • More than 30 Technology Platforms: Hydrogen and fuel cells, Photovoltaic, Water supply and sanitation, Steel, Chemistry, Construction… DG Environment European Commission
New focus for ETAP Intensify demand-side actions • Green procurement • Mobilising Financial Investments • Technology Verification • Performance targets • Build on promising Member State practice Evolve Support meaures DG Environment European Commission
Leveraging investment • Mobilising financial instruments to share the risk of investments • European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund • LIFE- Environment and LIFE+ • New Competitiveness and Innovation Programme supports eco-innovation DG Environment European Commission
Leveraging investment • CIP- new funding opportunity (€3.6 billion 2007-2013) • €727 million to support renewable energies and energy efficiency • €433 million to support eco-innovation in SMEs: • participation in investment funds • networking of actors • pilot projects on innovative technologies and practices DG Environment European Commission
LIFE+ and CIP eco-innovation Same positioning in the innovation cycle Same emphasis on the innovation character, replicability, maturity of the technology CIP more focussed on SMEs, companies voluntary approaches, new products and businesses Projects of pollution management (water, waste) and land-use planning, where public bodies have a leading role, should be directed towards LIFE+ Leveraging investment DG Environment European Commission
Technology Verification • Independent validation of performance is key to increase confidence • Networking centres for the testing and validation of technologies • Towards an EU Environmental Technology Verification Scheme • International Workshop in Paris, November 2007 DG Environment European Commission
Performance Targets (Top Runner) • Agree on ambitious environmental performance targets for key products, services, processes • Encourage their uptake by business and consumers • Based on voluntary agreement, may in longer term become legally binding DG Environment European Commission
Build on promising Member State practice • National Roadmaps on the implementation of ETAP - integrated in Lisbon reporting • Roadmaps point to extensive activities promoting eco-innovation and take up of environmental cooperation • Follow up – use roadmaps as drivers of change • Champion promising practice emphasising demand side activities • Share the knowledge between Member States • Create a multiplier effect DG Environment European Commission
Support Measures • Networked Observatory on eco-innovation • Promoting Awareness and active participation (Forum on eco-innovation) • Harnessing Research DG Environment European Commission
For more information www.ec.europa.eu/environment/etap • Google ‘EU ETAP’ • Newsletter ‘Clean, Clever, Competitive’ • Interviews, info on environmental technologiesin Member States DG Environment European Commission