Eco-innovation to support emerging countries for green growth
On a bi-annual basis European researchers, practitioners and policy makers gather to discuss new developments on Eco-Innovation, as part of EU’s ETAP-programme (Environmental Technology Action Plan). On October 11 and 12, the 11th Forum took place in Finland. The event was organized for a day in Helsinki and for a day in Lathi. The high-level discussion were combined with a visit at the International Cleantech Expo in Lahti. During this Forum the focus was how to explicitly work with emerging countries – e.g. China, India, Brasil, etc. Specific sessions were staged to discuss the present challenges in those countries, how to overcome those barriers via, amongst others, strengthened co-operation between Europe and emerging countries.
Team leader Frans Verspeek presented the SWITCH-Asia Network Facility. He was showcasing the practical experiences and successes of SWITCH-Asia projects. He, furthermore, was one of the speakers at the session on challenges and barriers. Click here for his presentation.
Other interesting interventions during the Forum were the speech of Juhern Kim (of the Asia-Europe Meeting SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC)), addressing “Enable the partnership between Asia and Europe to inspire eco-innovation at SMEs” and Inhee Chung’s (director ERM South-Korea) presentation on “ Achieving green growth in the building and construction sector” with examples of South Korea and Indonesia. For interested parties, all presentations can be downloaded via on the EC`s website. Here also reports of previous events are available.
These Eco-Innovation Forums serves as input for the development of EU / DG Environment’s idea how to further strengthen the development of Eco-Innovation and – especially as outcome of this event – the co-operation with emerging countries. In his opening speech Janez Potocnik (the European Commissioner for the Environment) solicited for such recommendations. On behalf of the EU Timo Makela (Director for International Affairs, Life and Eco-Innovation of DG Environment) summarized the conclusions and recommendations in 3 major components: (1) increased co-operation, (2) Enhanced adaptation to local context and going beyond technology only and (3) recognition of equal partnerships.