Environment

Policy matters

Innovation key to green growth, says OECD report
26/10/2011
Protecting natural resources need not compromise on economic growth. The OECD's Green Growth Strategy shows how, through policies in support of green innovation, this is possible. In 2009, ministers called upon the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to develop a Green...
Regions get smart about eco-innovation
24/11/2011
The EU ‘Smart Specialisation Platform’ will help European regions to focus on what they do best for the maximum competitive advantage and return on EU funds. EU regions expect the European Commission to help them identify their best assets and develop them. All regions are due to launch smart...
Tram depots: a blueprint for green building
12/12/2011
Five European cities define the cutting-edge in sustainable urban building with four innovative new tram depots A new series of tram depots offers an answer to the challenge of building new public infrastructure both essential for urban development and constrained by stringent environmental,...
Greece eyes eco-innovation to revitalise economy
23/01/2012
Eco-innovation projects dominated a biennial Greek innovation competition to promote products and services which improve daily life, drive sustainable development and grow the economy. “The challenge of the times is to dare to change now, and then change again and again,” said Dimitris...
New land-use planning tool supports ecosystem services
14/04/2012
Recent advances in land-use modelling techniques may help city planners identify sites for the conservation of urban green space and the development of climate adaptation measures. Apart from the recreational and aesthetic value they offer residents, metropolitan green spaces provide several...
EcoAp website goes live
14/09/2012
The EcoAp website is open for submissions: showcase your eco-innovative thinking or cutting edge practice. Welcome to the new EcoAP website. In line with the shift in the European Commission’s focus from environmental technologies to eco-innovation, the website has been upgraded to better serve...
Diverging paths
14/09/2012
Denmark and the Netherlands take different approaches to eco-innovation, but pursue similar goals. Denmark and the Netherlands have much in common. By reputation they are socially liberal and quick to adopt new ideas. Both have histories of pushing for greater equality and promoting ecological...
European partnership promises water innovations
01/10/2012
A major European Union initiative to promote innovation in the water sector has promised to adopt its strategic implementation plan by the end of the year, with its operational phase to start in early 2013. The European Innovation Partnership on Water (EIPW) held its kick-off meeting in Brussels...
Potocnik: eco-innovation requires a systemic rethink
15/10/2012
Eco-innovation should go beyond incremental environmental improvements and efficiency gains, and aim at “breaking out of locked-in systems and thinking,” according to EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik. The Eco-innovation Action Plan should be a tool to respond to the need to stay...
On the road
15/10/2012
A European Commission transport research strategy seeks to boost eco-innovation by focusing attention on new types of vehicles, smart and green infrastructure, and the integrated management of different transport modes to achieve maximum efficiency. The Commission's Strategic Transport...

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