Environment

Policy matters

Circular economy could double benefits from eco-innovation, study finds
25/06/2015
The European Union could be nearly a trillion euros per year better off by 2030 if a current surge of rapidly developing eco-innovations are put into practice within a circular economy framework, according to a study completed for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. New technologies and business...
Stimulating the circular economy
22/06/2015
OVAM started the Flanders Materials Programme in 2012. It was based on the acknowledgement that Flanders is almost completely dependent on imports for a number of the raw materials that underpin its economy. Examples of resources that Flanders lacks include phosphates for food production and...
‘CompA RE’: Baden Württemberg’s cleantech sector guide
03/06/2015
To guide potential cleantech investors through the diverse environmental technology sector in southwestern Germany, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector of the German region of Baden-Württemberg introduced in 2011 an online ‘Competence Atlas’ ( This has...
France's Auvergne region emphasises support for eco-design and eco-innovation
03/06/2015
An eco-innovation support programme, put in place in the central French region of Auvergne by the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( Through the programme, the CCIA provides eco-innovation expertise to companies that want to better control the environmental impacts of their products,...
European Forum on Eco-innovation: environmental labelling, information and management schemes are central to the circular economy
26/05/2015
Eco-innovation, as well as environmental labels, information and management schemes are essential to get Europe on the path to a circular economy. This was the primary conclusion of the 18th European Forum on Eco-innovation held in Barcelona, on 20-21 May. Over 300 stakeholders from across Europe...
Swedish eco-label offers detailed certification schemes
08/05/2015
The Swedish eco-label In particular, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), which first issued the label in 1988, has developed criteria for biofuels, electricity supply, district heating and insurance, as well as transport and logistics. In these areas, varying...
Catalonia seeks to promote greener goods and services through eco-labelling
08/05/2015
An eco-label from Catalonia, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2014, seeks to promote goods and services from the region by highlighting their environmental credentials. The eco-label, the Emblem of Guarantee of Environmental Quality, was established in 1994 by the Catalan regional...
Ecolabels: a booming business
08/05/2015
Ecolabelling is a growth industry. The Ecolabel Index directory currently tracks more than 450 ecolabels spread across 197 countries. An Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development analysis from 2013 found that the number of labels increased roughly fivefold between 1988 and 2009...
Excess carbon permit sales power decarbonisation in Estonia
20/04/2015
Seven Estonian towns are carrying out what is claimed to be Europe's largest concurrent installation of LED street lighting under a scheme funded by the sale of excess carbon permits. The installation scheme in Haapsalu, Jõhvi, Keila, Kuressaare, Paide, Valga and Võru, started in mid-February and...
Romanian eco-innovation support scheme aims for green patents
20/04/2015
A project in the region of West Romania is providing a support scheme for eco-innovative and bioeconomy start-ups and small businesses. The project involves the provision of grants, customised consultancy and intellectual property coaching. It is hoped that the result will be the award of new...

Pages