Eco-Innovation Observatory
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Eco-Innovation Observatory Methodological report Eco-Innovation Observatory The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation information, gathered from across the European Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-needed integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service providers, as well as providing a solid decision- making basis for policy development. The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in all economic sectors and therefore relevant for all types of innovation, defining eco-innovation as: ³(FR-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-F\FOH´ To find out more, visit www.eco-innovation.eu This document has been compiled with the best available information at the time of writing. Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union. Eco-Innovation Observatory Partners Eco-Innovation Observatory Methodological report Autumn 2010 Table of Content 1. Understanding eco-innovation ...................................................................................................... 10 1.1 What is eco-innovation? ........................................................................................................ 10 1.2 Defining innovation ................................................................................................................ 10 1.2.1 Basic definitions ............................................................................................................ 10 1.2.2 Types of innovation ....................................................................................................... 11 1.2.3 Features of innovation ................................................................................................... 12 1.3 Integrating environmental aspects to the definition of innovation ......................................... 13 1.3.1 Resource productivity, innovation and competitiveness ............................................... 14 1.3.2 Adopting a life cycle approach ...................................................................................... 15 1.3.3 Material use and material productivity........................................................................... 17 1.3.4 Other categories of resource inputs .............................................................................. 19 1.3.5 Outputs of emissions and waste ................................................................................... 21 1.3.6 Dependencies between resource inputs and outputs of emissions and waste ............ 21 2. Scope and approach to analysing eco-innovation ........................................................................ 24 2.1 Systemic approach ................................................................................................................ 24 2.2 Types and features of eco-innovation ................................................................................... 25 2.2.1 Defining different types of eco-innovation ..................................................................... 25 2.2.2 Analysing different features of eco-innovation .............................................................. 28 2.3 Barriers and drivers of eco-innovation .................................................................................. 30 2.3.1 Barriers and drivers of innovation ................................................................................. 30 2.3.2 Barriers and drivers of eco-innovation .......................................................................... 31 2.3.3 EIO approach to analysing barriers and drivers of eco-innovation ............................... 35 2.4 Temporal scope .................................................................................................................... 37 2.4.1 Time horizon for ex post analysis .................................................................................. 37 2.4.2 Time horizon for foresight analysis ............................................................................... 38 2.4.3 Links between ex post and foresight analysis ............................................................... 38 2.5 Thematic scope ..................................................................................................................... 39 2.5.1 General eco-innovation data and analysis .................................................................... 39 2.5.2 Specific thematic areas and sectors ............................................................................. 41 3. Process and methodology of observation ..................................................................................... 46 3.1 Analysing historical data and trends ..................................................................................... 46 3.1.1 Horizontal monitoring and general trends ..................................................................... 46 3.1.2 Specific thematic enquiries ........................................................................................... 50 3.1.3 Composite indicators: Eco-Innovation Scoreboard ....................................................... 51 3.2 Prospective analysis and future trends ................................................................................. 55 3.2.1 Horizon scanning........................................................................................................... 55 3.2.2 On-line Delphi ................................................................................................................ 61 4 3.2.3 Eco-innovation scenarios .............................................................................................. 62 3.2.4 Impact assessment and roadmapping .......................................................................... 64 3.3 Conducting analysis of different types of eco-innovation ...................................................... 67 3.3.1 Material flow innovation ................................................................................................. 67 3.3.2 Process eco-innovation ................................................................................................. 68 3.3.3 Product eco-innovation ................................................................................................. 68 3.3.4 Organisational eco-innovation ....................................................................................... 69 3.3.5 Marketing eco-innovation .............................................................................................. 69 3.3.6 Social eco-innovation .................................................................................................... 69 3.4 Conducting country level analysis ......................................................................................... 69 3.5 Integrating findings from different activities ........................................................................... 71 3.6 General overview of deliverables .......................................................................................... 72 3.7 Presentation of deliverables .................................................................................................. 72 3.7.1 Data and composite indicators ...................................................................................... 72 3.7.2 Reports and briefs ......................................................................................................... 75 3.7.3 Website and web-based reports ................................................................................... 81 4. Outreach and communication activity ........................................................................................... 82 4.1 Objectives of outreach and communication .......................................................................... 82 4.2 Adapting to the needs of key target groups .......................................................................... 83 4.2.1 Companies .................................................................................................................... 83 4.2.2 Organisations providing innovation support .................................................................. 84 4.2.3 Policy makers ................................................................................................................ 84 4.2.4 Researchers and analysts ............................................................................................. 85 5. Post script: EIO as an on-going methodological development process ....................................... 86 6.1 A robust and tested methodology ............................................................................................... 86 6.2 Advisory bodies ........................................................................................................................... 86 Annex I. Selected indicators for EIO database ..................................................................................... 88 Annex II. Draft template of the EIO country brief .................................................................................. 96 5 List of Figures Figure 1-1. Logical framework of the Eco-innovation Observatory