| Abstract |
Purpose - The goal of this paper is to present eco-innovation implementation in some European countries. Both current and expected government regulation is particularly important for pushing firms to reduce air and water pollution, decrease hazardous substances and increase recyclability of products. Cost savings are an important main incentive for reducing energy and material use, pointing to the role of energy and raw materials prices, as well as taxation as drivers for eco-innovation. Customer requirements are very important source for eco-innovations, particularly with regard to products with improved environmental performance and process innovations that increase material efficiency, reduce energy consumption and waste. Design/methodology/approach - We propose an approach theoretical approach: to investigate available data concerning ecoinnovation implementation in the EU countries and case study. We review literature and analyse how different stakeholders can contribute to building a green economy through eco-innovation. Moreover, we analyze incentives and barriers of ecoinnovation development in European countries. Many companies implement eco-innovation, but the majority either still do not eco-innovate or the material savings gained due to innovation are not important. Nevertheless, there exists solid, often unrealized potential for eco-innovation in the EU. Around one fourth of innovating companies in the EU-27 countries have reported introducing eco-innovation to reduce material use between 2006 and 2008, according to the Community Innovation Survey/CIS/. Originality/value -This methodology puts in evidence that ecoinvations are important tool in building modern economy. It is confirmed by presented in this paper case studies. Practical implications -The outcomes of the ecoinnovation are very important to the decision makers. Traditional environmental policies and measures focus on dealing with specific problems. Generally, this approach has been quite successful. However, since traditional problem solving begins after recognising a problem's existence, such policies are not preventive in a general. Solving individual problems only by specialised environmental technologies can even worsen other problems, in particular those as yet undiscovered. Today, more than 95% of the resources lifted from nature are wasted before the finished goods reach the market. And many industrial products - such as cars - demand additional natural resources while being used. Suficiently decoupling production and consumption from nature requires new systems, goods, services, processes, and procedures for meeting human needs. |