Drivers of environmental innovation - Vinnova

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Experience show that eco-audits can result in management and other functions of the firm, such as R&D, being integrated into environmental policy. They can also improve the internal transparency of firms, which may make it possible to identify unnoticed starting points for environment-relieving measures, in particular they may identify integrated measures (Hemmelskamp, 1997). There are other potential advantages and disadvantages with eco-audits. Ecoaudits have begun to be used as a public relations instrument. This may be a problem if the focus of attention is shifted away from in-house conditions. The soft regulation allows for a firm to take only superficial measures, reducing the impact on firm activities. It is also the firms who have the responsibility to compile a catalogue of measures to be taken. The regulation is also limited to “economically justifiable” measures, which is open to interpretation and reduces pressure on firms. As competitiveness and demand pressures increase on SMEs to take part in the EC eco-audit scheme, they may catch up on the larger firms in working with eco-audits. This way the regulation could produce effective impacts on innovations in such firms (Hemmelskamp, 1997). Network creation Network creation can be achieved in several ways, such as through dialogue and subsidies. Network creation aims at stimulating co-operation and increasing access to external competence. A Danish programme shows that network creation can be successful in stimulating innovations. Five case studies of clean technology development projects in Denmark were conducted. Most of the technological solutions developed were process oriented. Some firms were able to cut costs by substituting inputs, and some results were patented or introduced onto the market. A success factor of the initiative was that the eligibility criteria took into consideration that other than the polluting firm may contribute to the technological solution, and hence supported collaboration between polluting firms, customers, suppliers and consultants (Hemmelskamp, 1997). 42
Table 5 Summary of innovation effects of communicative instruments (1) Effects on innovations Theoretical pros & cons Voluntary agreements + integrated innovations, product innovations • small effects + coordination of actors around complex problems + network development + stimulate responsibility of firms + stimulate co-operation between industry and government + can be dynamic + low administrative burden - free riders - low third party incentives - too week steering/incentives Recommendations • should include a wide array of clear and transparent rules • use when uncertainty and need fro coordination is high Eco audit standards + R&D & management integration Network creation • some effects + transparency giving impulses for innovation + may give focus on public relations rather than internal problems + may involve SMEs - too weak incentives 43
Page 1 and 2: Drivers of environmental innovation
Page 3 and 4: Drivers of environmental innovation
Page 5 and 6: Preface Innovations such as new pro
Page 7 and 8: Sammanfattning Denna rapport är en
Page 9 and 10: Övergången mot ett mer marknadsdr
Page 11 and 12: Summary This study aims to provide
Page 13 and 14: 1 Introduction ”7KH# RQO\# SDWK#
Page 15 and 16: But there are also problems with a
Page 17 and 18: 2 Environmental innovations in firm
Page 19 and 20: ”sustainable development is a key
Page 21 and 22: was in general no larger change in
Page 23 and 24: positive environmental effects alth
Page 25 and 26: That location also plays an importa
Page 27 and 28: adapted, with the latter indicating
Page 29 and 30: 4 Environmental policy instruments
Page 31 and 32: oth in the regulated industry and o
Page 33 and 34: Table 1 Summary of innovation effec
Page 35 and 36: marginal cost of abatement is lower
Page 37 and 38: according to Hemmelskamp (Forthcomi
Page 39 and 40: The Dutch studies looked for the pr
Page 41: Kemp claims that the effectiveness
Page 45 and 46: There is clearly a need for more em
Page 47 and 48: conditions. These perspectives are
Page 49 and 50: This study shows that the way envir
Page 51 and 52: Hemmelskamp, J. (Forthcoming) “En
Page 54 and 55: Appendix 1 Theoretical approaches t
Page 56: and their interaction. It opens up
Page 59 and 60: efficiency nor on optimising within
Page 61 and 62: on the theory of terms of trade. A
Page 63 and 64: egulation may lead to increases in
Page 65 and 66: average productivity increases. Thi
Page 68: VINNOVA, SE-101 58 Stockholm, Swede

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