Brussels, 15/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The new eco-innovation action plan, crucial to delivering the EUROPE 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, was launched on Thursday 15 December. While the focus has so far been on green technologies, the new action plan seeks to achieve environmental protection objectives through innovation and makes provision for a review of environmental legislation. “The innovation challenge for this century will be making our resources go further - doing more with less - and reducing the impact of our activities. Europe must be in the lead in meeting that challenge if we want to be competitive in a world of increasing resource constraints. Worldwide demand for environmental technologies, products and services is growing rapidly even in these difficult times, and it's an area where Europe has much to offer”, said Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.
Through a wide range of targeted measures on the demand and supply side, on research and industry and on policy and financial instruments, the action plan will boost innovation that reduces pressure on the environment, and bridge the gap between innovation and the market, the Commission says. To help create stronger and more stable market demand for eco-innovation, it will take measures in the areas of regulatory incentives, private and public procurement and standards. It will promote support for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to improve investment readiness and networking opportunities. Key aspects of the new action plan are, inter alia, using environmental policy and legislation to promote eco-innovation; supporting demonstration projects and partnering to bring promising, smart and ambitious operational technologies to market; developing new standards to boost eco-innovation; mobilising financial instruments and support services for SMEs; promoting international co-operation; supporting the development of emerging skills and jobs and related training programmes to match labour market needs; and promoting eco-innovation through European Innovation Partnerships. (AN/transl.rt)