The international economics of resources and resource ... - Index of
The international economics of resources and resource ... - Index of
The international economics of resources and resource ... - Index of
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Int Econ Econ Policy (2010) 7:267–290<br />
DOI 10.1007/s10368-010-0162-z<br />
ORIGINAL PAPER<br />
Eco-innovation for environmental sustainability:<br />
concepts, progress <strong>and</strong> policies<br />
Paul Ekins<br />
Published online: 18 June 2010<br />
# Springer-Verlag 2010<br />
Abstract <strong>The</strong>re is increasing scientific evidence that natural systems are now at a level<br />
<strong>of</strong> stress globally that could have pr<strong>of</strong>ound negative effects on human societies<br />
worldwide. In order to avoid these effects, one, or a number <strong>of</strong> technological transitions<br />
will need to take place through transforming processes <strong>of</strong> eco-innovation, which have<br />
complex political, institutional <strong>and</strong> cultural, in addition to technological <strong>and</strong> economic,<br />
dimensions. Measurement systems need to be devised that can assess to what extent<br />
eco-innovation is taking place. Environmental <strong>and</strong> eco-innovation have already led in a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> European countries to the establishment <strong>of</strong> substantial eco-industries, but,<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the general absence <strong>of</strong> environmental considerations in markets, these<br />
industries are very largely the result <strong>of</strong> environmental public policies, the nature <strong>and</strong><br />
effectiveness <strong>of</strong> which have now been assessed through a number <strong>of</strong> reviews <strong>and</strong> case<br />
studies. <strong>The</strong> paper concludes that such policies will need to become much more<br />
stringent if eco-innovation is to drive an adequately far-reaching technological transition<br />
to resolve pressing environmental challenges. Crucial in the political economy <strong>of</strong> this<br />
change will be that eco-industries, supported by public opinion, are able to counter the<br />
resistance <strong>of</strong> established industries which will lose out from the transition, in a reformed<br />
global context where <strong>international</strong> treaties <strong>and</strong> co-operation prevent the relocation <strong>of</strong><br />
environmentally destructive industries <strong>and</strong> encourage their transformation.<br />
Keywords Eco-innovation . Environmental sustainability . Technological<br />
transitions . Eco-industries . Innovation policies<br />
1 Introduction<br />
Given the scale <strong>of</strong> contemporary environment <strong>and</strong> <strong>resource</strong> challenges in relation to<br />
climate change, energy <strong>and</strong> other <strong><strong>resource</strong>s</strong>, <strong>and</strong> biodiversity, it is common to hear<br />
Acknowledgements <strong>The</strong> author would like to thank two anonymous referees for helpful comments on an<br />
earlier draft <strong>of</strong> this paper.<br />
P. Ekins (*)<br />
UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK<br />
e-mail: p.ekins@ucl.ac.uk