ECO-INNOVATIONS – TOOLS FOR THE TRANSITION TO GREEN ECONOMY

Abstract

Eco-innovations remain a basic source of green growth and resource efficiency leading to a greater sustainability and at the same time to a technological change. The paper covers the discussion on the methodological controversies related to eco-innovations’ importance for the economy. The main purpose of this study is to present in a theoretical way the role of eco-innovations in the transition to green economy and a current state of eco-innovativeness performance in the EU Member States. Special emphasis is put on the measurement dilemma related to eco-innovativeness performance assessment.

The literature review suggests that there are two approaches concerning the significance of eco-innovations for the economy eco-efficiency and resource efficiency. Eco-innovations are also one of the main sources of green growth. The proper measurement of eco-innovativeness performance remains a serious problem although several projects sponsored by OECD and the EU have tried to address this issue. The current performance of the EU Members States regarding eco-innovations roughly coincides with the general innovativeness performance with some variations concerning the eco-innovation activities and eco-innovation outputs.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.18.4.4485