European Commission Publishes Plan For Boosting Green Innovation, Job Creation
December 21, 2011 in International Environment Reporter
By Stephen Gardner
BRUSSELS—Green innovation in the European Union should be boosted by a combination of environmental regulation, standard setting, research, and demonstration projects, the European Commission said in an action plan published Dec. 15.
The document sets out seven areas in which the Commission plans to introduce measures, starting in 2012. For each area, a number of “milestones” are described.
Areas for action are environmental policy and legislation; providing support to eco-innovation demonstration projects; tighter standards; financial support for small and medium-sized companies; international cooperation; training programs; and promoting green innovation research partnerships.
EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said the document is “a plan for green jobs and green growth” and will help the European Union “be competitive in a world of increasing resource constraints.”
The action plan is the successor to the EU Environmental Technologies Action Plan, published by the Commission in 2004 to spur eco-innovation (30 INER 369, 5/16/07).