What is EIO?The Eco-Innovation Observatory is a platform for the structured compilation of eco-innovation information, gathered from across the European Union and around the globe. Interrogation of this unique database, combined with input from experts and practitioners in the field, allows the development of unparalleled understanding of eco-innovation processes and developments over the past two decades and the determination of likely future trends for the next 20 years.

Why is an observatory needed?

Eco-innovation has become one of the cornerstones of the EU strategy to respond to the environmental and global economic competitiveness challenges.

It is recognised that developing eco-innovation capabilities and practices has significant competitiveness and employment potential across all economic sectors.

Reducing uncertainty about future market developments will help boost investment and accelerate eco-innovation in technology, products, services and processes.

To facilitate this market development, the EIO will provide a much needed integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service providers, as well as a solid decision-making basis for policy development. The EIO is a key action under the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) of the European Commission.

Eco-Innovation Observatory

EIOEuropean Eco-Innovation Observatory

This publication is financed under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) which aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises.

The comprehensive information platformon eco-innovation

Eco-Innovation Observatory

Who supportsthe Eco-Innovation Observatory?

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment is the primary stakeholder and funder of this three-year project, under the Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme. The EIO also draws on the Europe INNOVA initiative from the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry as part of the Environmental Technology Action Plan. Additionally, the EIO has the backing of national governments, networks and leading academic experts.

The consortium building the Observatory

Technopolis Group (Belgium) - leader

C-Tech Innovation (UK)

Finland Future Research Centre - FFRC (Finland)

Sustainable Europe Research Institute - SERI (Austria)

Wuppertal Institute (Germany)

For more information go towww.eco-innovation.eu

Eco-innovation as it is defined by the EIO Eco-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle. The EIO approaches eco-innovation as a pervasive phenomenon present in all economic sectors and, therefore, relevant for all types of innovation.

EIO Repository ANNUAL REPORTS Summarising recent trends and emerging markets for

eco-innovation

EIO DATABASE Collection and systemic analysis of data on market and

technology, liaising with other initiatives at European and national levels

COUNTRY BRIEFS Profiles EU27 Member States on eco-innovation

developments, key growth areas, trends and other emerging issues

THEMATIC REPORTS Addressing specific technological and horizontal issues

FORESIGHT ACTIVITIES Exploring key emerging eco-innovation fields and issues

EUROPEAN ECO-INNOVATION SCOREBOARD Performance indicators at country, sector and thematic levels

Eco-Innovation Observatory

Communicating EIOto a wide range of stakeholdersThe EIO interacts with its community through a dynamic web portal, which provides access to the full range of services and knowledge content tailored to the needs of different users:

Café

An informal meeting space providing discussion forums and blog spaces for knowledge and experience exchange, online surveys, maps, and other interactive tools

Information Desk

The hub of the Observatory, with access to the multi-dimensional database with options to interrogate the data via charts and reports;

EU eco-innovation scoreboard;

country pages with wikis, reports and key contacts;

news articles. Registered users receive enhanced access providing the ability to customise data reports, contribute to the country wikis and engage with the expert community

Library

Annual reports presenting major project results;

thematic reports of key topics; foresight analysis reports and eco-innovation briefs;

country briefs for all Member States;

reference data and links to other sources of information

For more information go towww.eco-innovation.eu

The comprehensive information platform on eco-innovation