by Shane Henson — December 28, 2011—A new Eco-innovation Action Plan (EcoAP) for the European Union (EU) was recently launched by the European Commission (EC), an organization representing the general interest of the EU and the driving force in proposing legislation, administering and implementing EU policies, enforcing EU law, and negotiating in the international arena.
The EcoAP is one of the commitments of the Innovation Union Flagship Initiative, building on the 2004 Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP). The new EcoAP seeks to boost innovation that reduces pressure on the environment, and to bridge the gap between innovation and the market. Since eco-friendly technologies are good for business and help create new jobs, eco-innovation is crucial to the economic competitiveness of Europe, stress EU leaders.
Key aspects of the new action plan include:
- 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;
- Mobilizing financial instruments and support services for SMEs;
- Promoting international co-operation;
- Supporting the development of emerging skills and jobs and related training programs to match labor market needs;
- Promoting eco-innovation through European Innovation Partnerships.
- Supporting demonstration projects and partnering to bring promising, smart and ambitious operational technologies to market;
EU leaders say implementation of the plan will be via partnership between stakeholders, the private and public sectors, and the Commission.
