Eco-innovation in the Czech Republic · 2016. 8. 25. · Eco-Innovation Observatory The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and analysis

Eco-innovationintheCzechRepublic

EIOCountryProfile

2014-2015

Eco-InnovationObservatory

The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and

analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation information, gathered from across theEuropean Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-neededintegrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation serviceproviders,aswellasprovidingasoliddecision-makingbasisforpolicydevelopment.

The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in alleconomicsectorsandthereforerelevantforalltypesofinnovation,definingeco-innovationas:

“Eco-innovation isany innovationthatreducestheuseofnaturalresourcesanddecreasesthereleaseofharmfulsubstancesacrossthewholelife-cycle”.

Tofindoutmore,visitwww.eco-innovation.euandec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do notnecessarilyreflectthepositionoftheEuropeanCommission.

Eco-InnovationObservatoryCountryProfile2014-2015:CzechRepublic

Author:KatarinaSvatikova(Trinomics)

Coordinatoroftheworkpackage:TechnopolisGroupBelgium

Acknowledgments

ThedocumenthasbeenpreparedwiththekindsupportofMr.JaroslavKepkafromtheMinistryofEnvironment,theCzechRepublic.

AnotetoReaders

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do notnecessarilyreflectthepositionoftheEuropeanUnion.Anumberofcompaniesarepresentedasillustrativeexamplesofeco-innovationinthisreport.TheEIOdoesnotendorsethesecompaniesandisnotanexhaustivesourceofinformationoninnovationatthecompanylevel.

This brief is available for downloaded fromhttps://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap/czechrepublic

Tableofcontents

Summary...........................................................................................................................1

Introduction.......................................................................................................................2

1 |Eco-innovationperformance......................................................................................3

2 |Selectedcirculareconomyandeco-innovationareasandnewtrends........................6

3 | Barriers and drivers to the circular economy and eco-innovation in the CzechRepublic ...........................................................................................................................9

4 |Policylandscape:towardscirculareconomyintheCzechRepublic...........................11

ANNEX:Policymeasuresaddressingcirculareconomyandeco-innovationsintheCzechRepublic .........................................................................................................................18

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Summary

The Czech Republic has a relatively good overall eco-innovation performance according to the2015Eco-innovationscoreboard,ranking13thoutof28EUMemberStateswithanoverallscoreof99,whichis1%belowtheoverallEUaverage.Thecountry’sperformancehasimprovedcomparedto2013whentheCzechRepublicranked17th,however,partofthisimprovementcouldberelatedto a change in source data for two indicators. The evidence collected from available sourcesindicatesthe“eco-innovation”situationintheCzechRepublicisperhapsnotasstrongastheindexsuggests.

Ingeneral,theresearchandinnovationactivitiesandthepolicyframeworkhasimprovedinrecentyears. Nevertheless, there are still somemajor bottlenecks, which prevent the country and itsenterprises from fully realising their potential. Many of these bottlenecks originate from thechangefromacentralisedeconomy,asmanycompaniesarestillrecoveringfromtheprivatisationprocess and their owners and managers arguably lack the ambition to invest in innovativeproductsandtechnologies,andtheconceptsofthecirculareconomyandeco-innovationareyettobecomewidelyembedded.Anotherbarrieristhatthelegislativeandpolicyframeworkisseenas fragmented and incoherent, with several supporting programmes, mainly for research anddevelopment(R&D),whoseactivitiesareimplementedtemporarily,partlyornotatall.However,several R&D funding programmes supported by the state or by EU funds are effective incapitalising on the opportunities this field offers and are assisting in the process of developinginnovative technologies and tools. A number of recent projects have been identified, whichdirectly supporteco-innovationor thecirculareconomy, forexamplea fusionbetweenbio-andnanotechnologiestotreatwastewater.

Additional policy developments are needed in order to speed up progress towards a circulareconomyaswellastoincreasethelevelofresearchandinnovationactivityintheCzechRepublic.These policy developments should include further support to local businesses as well asinvestmentinthepublicresearchandeducationsystems.

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Introduction

TheCzechRepublichasexperiencedastrongeconomicreboundoverthelasttwoyears.RealGDPgrowthisexpectedtohavereached4.5%in2015,accordingtotheEuropeanCommission’swinter2015/2016 forecast. This is partly due to a strong growth in public investment, with the Czechauthorities tryingtocatchupontheirdrawdownofEUfunds fromthe2007-2013programmingperiod(SWD(2016)73final).

The main challenges the Czech Republic faces with respect to eco-innovation and a circulareconomy are related to the research and innovation system aswell as entrepreneurial spirit ofdomestic companies.Theeducationandpublic research systemsalsoneed tobe steppedup toaddressthischallenge.

According to the country report submitted within the context of the European Semester, thecurrent system is resulting in weak outcomes and weak links between research institutes andenterprises,whichlimitstheabilityoftheresearchanddevelopment(R&D)systemtorespondtotheneedsoftheeconomy.Inefficienciesinthebusinessenvironmentareabarriertoinnovationandprivate-sectorinvestment.Theauthoritieshavebeentakingmeasurestoaddressthis,suchasbymaking it significantlyeasier to setupabusiness.Muchof theeconomy isdrivenby foreignowned firms,and thepotential for thedomesticallyowned firms to takeadvantageandbenefitfromtechnologicalspill-oversinordertoenhancethenationalresearchandinnovationsystemiscurrentlyunderused(SWD(2016)73final).

AnotherchallengeisthatreformstoR&Dfundinghavenotyetsufficientlyprogressed,andthisisundermining the R&D system. There are also concerns with the sustainability of R&Dinfrastructure.Ingeneral,therehasbeenasignificantincreaseinR&Dinvestmentinrecentyearsbutoutcomesneedtobeimproved(SWD(2016)73final).

TheCzechRepublicismakingpositiveprogressintheenergysectorbutremainssomewhatbehindEU averages in terms of transport infrastructure and energy efficiency. The road networkunderperforms in comparisonwithother EU countries, althoughhigher investment in 2014and2015 is likely to have somewhat closed this gap. The energy and carbon intensity of the Czecheconomyremainshigh,despiteanimprovementinrecentdecades(SWD(2016)73final).In2014,theCzecheconomyusedtwiceasmuchenergyastheEUaveragetoproduceaunitofoutput:258kilogramsofoilequivalent(kgoe)per€1000ofGDP,comparedwithanEUaverageof122kgoeper€1000 (Eurostat). This is mainly due to the significant role of industry in the economy(manufacturingaccountedforaround25%oftotalvalueaddedin2014comparedwithanaverageofaround15%intheEU)(SWD(2016)73final).

Theproportionofrenewablesintheenergymixhasbeenincreasingandthisiscomplementedbyambitiousdomestictargets(SWD(2016)73final).

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1 |Eco-innovationperformance

Theanalysis inthissection isbasedontheEU-28Eco-innovationscoreboard(Eco-IS) fortheyear2015.Via itscompositeEco-innovationindex,producedbytheEco-InnovationObservatory(EIO),Eco-ISdemonstratestheeco-innovationperformanceofacountrycomparedwiththeEUaverageandwiththeEUtopperformers.Eco-ISisbasedon16indicators,aggregatedintofivecomponents:eco-innovationinputs,activitiesandoutputs,environmentalandsocio-economicoutcomes..

The scoreboard shows that the overall 2015 eco-innovation performance of the CzechRepublichasimprovedcomparedto2013,withanoverallindexscoreof99(comparedtoascoreof71in2013), ranking as 13th among the 28 EUMember States (compared to 17th place in 2013). Thescoreof99meansthattheCzechRepublic’soveralleco-innovationperformanceis1%belowEUaverage.Thesignificantimprovementinrankingandtheoverallscorecouldhavebeencausedbya data source change for two socio economic outcomes indicators (more on this later in thesection), and hence the results for these indicators are not fully comparable with the data for2013.

Figure1EU-28Eco-innovationscoreboard2015,compositeindex

Source:EIO,2016

Figure 2 illustrates the fivemain components of the Eco-Innovation Scoreboard Index: i.e. eco-innovation inputs, activities andoutputs, and resource-efficiencyand socio-economicoutcomes.Fortwocomponents,eco-innovationactivitiesandsocio-economicoutcomes,theCzechRepublicscoressignificantlyaboveEUaverage(181and147,respectively)andisthetopperformeramongtheEUcountries.Fortheotherthreecomponents,thescoresarebelowtheEUaverage.

For all components, theperformancehas improved compared to 2013 (only resource-efficiencyoutcomesstayedmoreorlessthesamescoreasbefore).

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Figure2Componentsoftheeco-innovationcompositeindexfortheCzechRepublic,2015

Source:EIO,2016

Eco-innovationinputs

ThisindexcomponentshowstowhatextentthegovernmentgivesprioritytoinvestinginR&Dinenergy and the R&D human resources in the country. The eco-innovation input component iscomposedof three sub-indices: governmentenvironmental andenergyR&Dappropriations andoutlays (asashareofGDP), totalnumberofR&Dpersonnelandresearchers (asashareof totalemployment)andtotalvalueofgreenearly-stageinvestments(measuredinUS$percapita).Theshare of government environmental and energy R&D appropriations and outlays of GDPwas0.31%in2014(comparedto0.4%EUaverage)withanindexscoreof83.Thisisanimprovementfrom2013wherethe indicatorscoredonly61.TheperformancewasslightlyaboveEUaveragefor the share of R&D personnel and researchers out of total employment,with 1.3% in 2014compared to 1.25%EUaverage, leading to an index score of 103. This is a slight improvementcomparedto2013,whentheCzechRepublichadanindexscoreof102.Totalvalueofgreenearly-stage investments (in US$ per capita) has increased considerably from US$0.29 (approximately€0.25) per capita between 2010 and 2013 toUS$2 (about €1.75) per capita between 2012 and2015. However, the same is true for most EU countries, as the EU average also increasedconsiderablyfromUS$12.3(around€10.70)percapitatoUS$82(approx.€71.40)percapita.ThisleavestheCzechRepublicscoring2inthissub-index(thesamescoreasthepreviousperiod).ThisbelowaverageperformancereflectsthecurrentR&Dsystem,whichremainsunderperforming.

Eco-innovationactivities

This index component shows to what extent companies in the Czech Republic are involved inmaterial- and energy-efficiency eco-innovation, aswell as environmentalmanagement, and theresults show a high level of involvement. The eco-innovation activities component is alsocomposed of three sub-indices. Two sub-indices look at the percentage of firms that haveimplementedinnovationactivitiestoreducematerialinputperunitofoutputandthepercentagethathavedonesoforenergyinputperunitofoutput.Thedatafortotalfirmsisfrom2008andhas

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not been updated for the 2015 Eco-Innovation Scoreboard. Six Member States, including theCzechRepublic,havenotreportedanymorerecentdata,hencetheresultsneedtobeinterpretedwithcare.TheCzechRepublicisthetopperformerintheEU-28forthiscomponent,scoring181,i.e.81%aboveEUaverage.ThesecondbestperformerisPortugalwithascoreof167.

According to the 2008 data, 0.16% (index 165) of all Czech companies have implementedinnovation activities aimed at reducing materials and 18.51% (index 172) of companies haveimplementedinnovationactivitiesaimedatreducingenergyinput.Thethirdandlastsub-indexofthiscomponentisthenumberofISO14001-registeredorganisations(permillionpopulation).The Czech Republic is doing well on this indicator, and became the top performer in the EU,together with Romania, scoring 206, i.e. more than double the EU average. It had 459.6 ISO-registered companies permillion inhabitants in 2014, a slight increase from 2012 (when it had401.2 companies per million inhabitants). The result appears somewhat surprising given thefeedback received from different sources on the challenges faced by domestic companies toinnovate.

Eco-innovationoutputs

ThisindexshowstowhatextenttheCzechRepublichaspatents,publicationsandmediacoveragerelatedtoeco-innovation.Eco-innovationoutputsremaintheCzechRepublic’sworstperformingindexcomponent,reachinganindexscoreof47.Thisis,however,asignificantimprovementfrom2013, where the Czech Republic scored only 22, making it the worst performer among EUcountries.Thesub-indexforeco-innovationrelatedpatents(permillionpopulation)in2012wasonly45(8.5patents/millionpopulation),comparedtotopperformersFinlandandGermany,bothwithanindexof230(42.3patents/millionpopulation).Thenumberofeco-innovationpatents in2010wasonly1.32permillioninhabitants.

The sub-index score is much better for eco-innovation related publications (per millionpopulation), with an index score of 78 according to 2014 data, i.e. 12.65 eco-innovationpublications permillion inhabitants. This is a great improvement from the previous year (2013report)where the sub-indexwas 37, i.e. 3.2 publications permillion inhabitants. The sub-indexscoreforeco-innovationrelatedmediacoverage(pernumberofelectronicmedia)indicatesthattheCzechRepublicistheworstperformer,togetherwithHungary,withanindexof19in2015,i.e.0.06eco-innovationrelatedhitsperelectronicmedia,whilethesub-indextwoyearsagowas4hitsperelectronicmediain2013.Theresultdoesnotseemsurprisingwhenconsideringthelowlevelofactivityinthisfieldinthecountry.

Resourceefficiencyoutcomes

This component measures material, water and energy productivity and greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions intensity.Theoverallcomponentscorefor theCzechRepublic is66. In2013,materialproductivity, calculated as GDP divided by Domestic Material Consumption, and measured inEUR/kg, improved from 2011 to reach 1.39EUR/kg,with a sub-index score of 72 (compared to1.19EUR/kg in 2011). The water productivity sub-index, calculated as GDP relative to WaterFootprint(measuredinEUR/m³),hasnotchangedfromtheprevious2013report,asthedatahasnot been updated (and is still based on data for 1996-2005). The Czech Republic scored 67(8.67EUR/m³),comparedtoasub-indexscoreof140and18.05EUR/m³forIrelandandtheUnitedKingdom. The energy productivity sub-index, calculated as GDP relative to gross inland energyconsumption, measured in euros per tonne of oil equivalent (EUR/toe), in 2013 has slightly

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improvedcomparedto2011,with theCzechRepublicscoring65, i.e.5.46EUR/toecomparedto5.2EUR/toe in 2011 with the same score. In terms of GHG emissions intensity, measured incarbon dioxide equivalent emissions relative to GDP (CO2e/GDP), the Czech Republic emittedalmosttwiceasmuchastheEUaveragein2013,0.6CO2e/GDPcomparedto0.35CO2e/GDP,butthevaluehasslightlydecreasedfrom0.63CO2e/GDPin2011.

Socio-economicoutcomes

TheCzechRepublicachievesahighscoreforthesocio-economicoutcomescomponent,togetherwith Luxembourg, scoring 147, i.e. 47% above EU average. This is a considerable improvementfrom2013,wheretheCzechRepublicscoredonly70forthiscomponent.Themainreasonforthischange might be the change of data sources for employment and turnover in eco-industries.ThomsonOnedatausedinEIS2013hasbeenreplacedbyOrbisdata,duetothelargercoverageofthe latter. The employment in eco-industries (as a percentage of total employment across allcompanies) sub-index score is the highest in the EU, togetherwith Slovenia, 183, i.e. 4.63% ofemployment in companies is in eco-industries in 2014. The Czech Republic is also the topperformer for turnover (revenue) in eco-industries (as a percentage of total revenue across allcompanies),togetherwiththeNetherlands,scoring159,i.e.3.5%oftotalturnoverofcompaniesisineco-industries.Theexportsofproductsfromeco-industries (asapercentageoftotalexports)sub-indexscorewasthesameastheEUaverage,99in2014,whichisasignificant improvementfrom2012, from0.54%to0.67%.Theresultseemsabitsurprisingbutmightrelatetohoweco-industriesaredefined intheCzechRepublic.Therearea largeamountofSMEs intheeconomy,which are responsible for the large part of job creation. However, the economy is still mainlydrivenbyforeign-ownedcompanies(SWD(2016)73final).

2 |Selectedcirculareconomyandeco-innovationareasandnewtrends

Eco-innovationandcirculareconomydevelopmentsintheCzechRepublicareprimarilyfocusedonenergyefficiencyinbuildingsandinfrastructure,sustainabletransport,andseveralenvironmentaltopics– suchaswaterefficiencyandwastewater treatment,wastemanagement (e.g.municipalandfoodwaste)andresourceefficiency(e.g.reuseandrecyclingofconstructionanddemolitionwaste, and reduced resource consumption).1 In recent years, there appears to have been rapidgrowthininnovationinbio-andnanotechnologies(seebestpracticeexamplebelow).

Energy efficiency improvements have been very important for the Czech Republic for severalyears, as the country has a very energy- and carbon-intensive economy, as mentioned above.Thereare indications fromtheperiod2014-2015 thatenergy savingsarenotprogressing in linewiththeNationalEnergyEfficiencyActionPlan.Therefore,thefastandefficientrolloutofprojectsaimedat improvingenergyefficiency– includingthoseco-financedbyEUfunds– isessentialfortheCzechRepublictomeetits2020energyefficiencytarget(SWD(2016)73final).

1BasedonthelistofprioritiesgivenbytheMinistryofEnvironmentforyear2016.DiscussedinadetailinSection4.

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Inadditiontoactivitiestoimproveenergyefficiencyinbuildings,theCzechRepublicisalsotakingadvantageofEUprogrammestoboostinvestmentinenergyefficientinfrastructure,e.g.throughavarietyoffunds,suchasEUstructuralfunds,andfinancefromtheEuropeanInvestmentBank(EIB)andConnectingEuropeFacility(CEF). Inthepast,publicprogrammesaimedat increasingenergyefficiencywerejudgedasfragmentedandhighlycost-inefficient(SWD(2016)73final).

With regard to sustainable transport, technological innovations in the field of biofuels andalternative fuels are also being supported, as mentioned in the National Action Plan for CleanMobility(NAPCM).

WastemanagementisanotherimportantareaforacirculareconomyintheCzechRepublic.ThereareseveralprojectssupportedbytheTechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic(seeSection4fordetails), which focus on numerous areas, including: recycling of construction materials and onconstruction and demolition waste, municipal waste management (including biodegradablemunicipalwaste),ecologicalsanitationandprocessingofdifferentbiologicalwastesintofertiliserandreclamationsubstrates,usageofwasteresiduesfrombiogasplants,reuseofrecycledpaper,developmentofenvironmentallyfriendlytechnologiesfornewutilisationofsolidwastematerials,etc.(TACR2016).

Projects related to innovation in theplastics sector and theuseof resources are alsoapparent.Oneofthemostimportantareasisinnovationinbioandnanotechnologies.

Thereareavarietyoffundingprogrammes,agenciesandministriessupportingtheseinnovations.In particular theMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports, has several research and innovationprogrammesandhasalsobeenresponsiblefordrawinguptheNationalResearchandInnovationStrategy forSmartSpecialisation (RIS3)of theCzechRepublic in2014 (seeSection4 fordetails).TheMinistryofEnvironmentcooperateswiththeTechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic(TACR)tofundcirculareconomyprojectsinwastemanagement,waterandresourceefficiency,includingnanotechnologies.TheMinistryofIndustryandTradefocusesonsustainableenergyandtransportpolicy.A (non-exhaustive) listof legislationandpolicy instrumentscanbefound intheAnnextothisreport.

PilotoperationofafurniturereusecentreinPrague:

This project was supported by the Ministry of Environment’s programme to support NGOprojects. The project aims to open the first centre for collecting and repairing furniture forreuse,andtopilotaservicethatwouldcollect,repairandre-sellrepairedfurniturecheaply.Thiswould provide solutions for prevention of furniture waste, as well as allowing (low-income)citizens to buy repaired furniture at low prices. The activities of the centre would include:regularcollectionofoldfurnitureandhouseholdequipmentinPragueandactivelyraisingpublicawarenessaboutthisopportunity.Itwillalsoallowthepick-upoffurnitureduringofficehours.Inaddition,thecentrewilloffertheopportunityofattendingaseriesofworkshopstorepairthefurniture under the guidance of experienced instructors. These workshops will be organisedtogetherwiththeprojectZdrojovna,whichorganisesworkshopswiththesupportofthePragueCityauthorities.

Keywords:reuse,repairoffurniture,socialinclusion,publicawareness

Link:http://spojenehlavy.siknese.cz/

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Arnika–municipalwastemanagement

Thisprojecthasalsobeensupportedby theMinistryofEnvironment’sProgrammetosupportNGO projects. Arnika is a Czech environmental NGO involved in several activities. The bestpracticeexamplediscussedhereconcernsmunicipalwastemanagement in smaller townsandvillages. Theaimof thisproject is to raise theawarenessofmayors in these small townsandvillagesabouttherequirementsofthenewWasteManagementPlanfor2015-2024andtoshowthembestpracticeexamplesofhowtofulfil theseobligations. Inaddition,theprojectaimstocollect a set of best practices and organise a “Waste Oscar” competition among themunicipalitiestopromoteandawardsuccessstories.Thisprojectalsosupports‘badperformers’bygivingthemadviceonhowtoimprovetheirperformance.

Keywords:municipalwastemanagement,smalltownsandvillages,publicawareness

Link:http://arnika.org/

NANOBIOWAT–wastewatertreatmentwiththeuseofbioandnanotechnologies

NANOBIOWAT is a project supported by theTechnology Agency of the Czech Republic within itsCompetencecentre.Theprojectlasts6-8yearsandisa cooperationbetween six key industrialplayersandthree academic centres. The aimof the project is todevelop27proventechnologiesandsevenpatents.Ithas been evaluated as one of the most significantprojects of the centre, as the best players are onboard. The project involves six scientific workpackagestosupportthedevelopmentofsixdifferent

innovative methods of water treatment. For example, treating contaminated drinking water,disposal of substances deposited in soil, clean-up aftermilitary operations, the elimination ofdrugsfromwastewater,etc.

Keywords:bioandnanotechnology,wastewatertreatment

Link:informationprovidedbyTACR,contactpointsProf.Zbořil(UPOL),Prof.Černík(TUL)

News item: http://m.rozhlas.cz/plus/trendy/_zprava/cisteni-vod-pomoci-bio-a-nanotechnologii--1582489

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3 |Barriersanddriverstothecirculareconomyandeco-innovationintheCzechRepublic

There are several barriers related to innovation, and as such to eco-innovation and a circulareconomy,whichcanbesummarisedasfollows:

WeakoutcomesandresultsofCzechR&Dactivities

Despite the increasedR&D spending in the recent years, the results of fundedactivities remainweak.Forexample,thereisstilllowcapacitytogenerateintellectualpropertyrights,lowaccesstofinance through venture capital and low innovative activities of domestic firms. The increase inR&Dexpenditurebetween2010and2014haslargelybeenfundedbyforeignownedfirms(mainlyintheautomotiveindustry)andEUfunds,whiledomesticR&Dfundinghasstagnatedordecreasedduringthisperiod(SWD(2016)73final).

StagnatingR&Dfunding

Despite increasingR&D fundingasa shareofGDP, therearedoubtsabout itseffectivenessandefficiency, aswell as its sustainability. TotalR&D intensity reached2%ofGDP in2014,which isequal to theEUaverage.The large increase in2010wasduetoaboost inpublicR&D intensity,mainlycomingfromEUfunds,butthishasstagnatedat0.9%inthelasttwoyears.Nevertheless,theEUtarget,of1%ofGDPforpublicR&Dintensityby2020,willbemetbytheCzechRepublic(SWD(2016)73final).

Lowlevelofentrepreneurshipandinadequateperformanceoftheendogenousentrepreneurialsector

Despitetheeconomicgrowthinthelastdecade,theendogenousbusinesssectormainlyconsistsofrelativelysmallcompaniesandasmallnumberofverylargecompanies,manyofwhicharestillstrugglingtofullyovercomethechallengesofprivatisationanddebtsincurredduringthecentrallyplannedeconomyperiod.Domesticcompaniesarestill laggingbehindforeignownedcompaniesin their innovationcapacity.The fact thatmanyareSMEsalso limits theirability to innovate. Inaddition,theabilityandambitionoftheownersandmanagerstodevelopinnovativeproductionandservicesappearslimited.(RIS3)

High dependence of the Czech Republic’s economic development on the activities of foreign-ownedcompaniesthatonlyusetheCzechRepublicasamanufacturingbase

ForeigncompaniesstilldriveeconomicgrowthintheCzechRepublicandarealsothemaindrivingforcebehindthegrowthandproductionofdomesticcompanies.Foreigncompaniesalsohavehadapositive impactonknowledge transfer todomestic companiesand jobcreation.However, thetwomainproblemswiththecurrentdependenceonforeigncompaniesisthat,inthemajorityofcases,theirstrategicdecisionsforfutureinvestmentsaremadeoutsideoftheCzechRepublic,andtheir activities and production in the Czech Republic is aimed at relatively low value addedproductsandservicesinthevaluechain.Inotherwords,thedevelopmentofinnovativeprocessesandtechnologiesisoftendoneoutsidetheCzechRepublic(RIS3).

ConcernsaboutthesustainabilityofR&Dinfrastructure

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Thereareconcernsover the sustainabilityof recent investments inR&D infrastructure,as someinfrastructure projects do not appear to be part of a well-designed strategy that ensures aneffectiveR&Decosystem.Therearerisksthatanumberoftheseprojectswillnotcomplywiththerules of sustainability, which could mean that they become ineligible for EU funding.2 Thesustainabilityof increasingR&Dintensitywilldependonthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofasolidgovernanceframeworkintheresearchandinnovationsystem(SWD(2016)73final).

R&Dpolicyandfundingframeworkremainsfragmented

Another problem is that the existing funding mechanism is fragmented, with insufficientcoordination between relevant bodies and an unclear division of responsibilities and priorities(SWD(2016)73final).ThisalsoaffectstheabsorptionofEUfunds,whichisslow,andthereisalackofadministrativecapacitytoimplementprojects.

The instability of the regulatory framework and the administrative burden associated withcomplyingwiththeregulatoryrules

Ingeneral,theentrepreneurialenvironmentintheCzechRepublicisnotwellsupportedbythepolicyframework,includingalackoftoolsandinstrumentstohelpsetupbusinessesanddevelopinnovativetechnologiesandprocess.Theexistingpolicyframeworkisunstable,whichismanifestedinalargenumberofstrategies,manyofwhichareimplementedonlytemporarilyandtoalimiteddegreeornotatall.However,therearealsosomeverybeneficialfiscalinstrumentsthathavebeenintroduced,suchastaxdeductionsforR&Dcosts,includingthepurchaseofexternalR&Dservices(RIS3).

Limitedcooperationbetweenacademiaandbusiness

Anotherbarrieristhelimitedcooperationbetweenacademiaandthebusiness.Thisismainlyduetothefactthatpublicresearchinstitutionsareonlyevaluatedontheirresearchexcellencewithnoaccounttakenoftheirtieswithbusiness.Nevertheless,theEuropeanStructuralandInvestmentFundsandthecompetencecentresprogrammeencouragesuchlinks(SWD(2016)73final).

HumanresourcesinR&D

The human resources in the field of research and innovation are lagging behind the mostdevelopedcountriesduetothelongisolationofCzechscience,smallnumberofworld-renownedscientists,lackofstrongpartnersfromtheprivatesector,inadequateinstrumentsandequipment,frequent“inbreeding”,i.e.scientistsandteachershavealifelongcareerwithinoneuniversity,etc.(AuditVavaiproject).Themainproblem is the lowqualityofpublic researchandtheoutputsoftheeducationsystem,lowinternationalopennessoftheCzechresearchenvironment,shortageofquality human resources for R&D, and deficiencies in R&D policymanagement and governance(RIS3).

Nevertheless, several public funding programmes (EU and national) exist to support theseactivities.

2 http://www.nku.cz/cz/media/vybudovani-padesatky-vedeckych-center-stalo-36-miliard-korun--jen-v-prvnich-peti-letech-fungovani-prijdou-stat-na-dalsich-24-a-pul-miliardy-id8059/

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4 |Policylandscape:towardscirculareconomyintheCzechRepublic

CircularEconomy

With respect to the development of a circular economy in the Czech Republic, the newWasteManagementPlanoftheCzechRepublicfortheperiod2015-2024has,asoneofitsfourstrategicobjectives,supportingthetransitiontoacirculareconomy(seebelowformoredetail).Inaddition,there are several programmes and projects that support relevant development in the CzechRepublic. One of the most important of these is the Epsilon programme managed by theTechnology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR) (see box below). This programme aims tosupport applied research and experimental development and was approved by GovernmentResolution No. 987 of 18 December 2013.3 The focus is on three priority areas: competitiveknowledge-basedeconomy,sustainabilityofenergyandmaterialresources,andenvironmentforqualityoflife.Inparticular,thisprogrammesupportsprojectsthatdevelopindustrialapplicationsusingnewtechnologiesandnewmaterialsintheenergy,environmentandtransportsectors.Twoofthethreesub-programmesarehighlyrelevanttoeco-innovationandthecirculareconomy,astheyfocusonenergyandmaterials(sub-programme2)andenvironment(sub-programme3).TheMinistry of Environment cooperates with TACR on the preparation of the priorities for thisprogramme.

Thesecondpubliccallof theprogramme(forprojects starting in2016),had the following threeprioritiesfortheenvironmentsub-programme(with100%financingavailable):

• Developmentoftheknowledgebasefortheoptimisationoftoolsusedfortheprotectionof the ecological stability and biodiversity – e.g. handlingwater-dependent ecosystems,invasivealienspecies,mappingeco-systemservices, soil, increasing theuseofcompostsfrom waste on farmland, prevention of packaging waste, and methods for reducingemissions,particularlyfromresidentialandpublicheating.

• Finding synergies and elimination of conflicts relating to adaptation and mitigationmeasureswithrespecttonatureandenvironment–e.g.improvedmanagementofsludgefromwastewatertreatmentplants,andpreventionofconstructionwaste.

• Developmentoftechnologiesandproductsimprovingtheefficiencyofprimarysources–e.g. reducing the amount of biodegradable waste from canteens and of animal by-products inmixedmunicipal waste, increasing the share of reuse and recycling rate ofconstruction and demolition waste, prevention of municipal waste, and reduction ofresourceconsumption.

Innovationandeco-innovation

The National Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the CzechRepublicwas adopted InNovember2014. Theaimof this strategy is to effectively target funds(European, national, regional and private) at activities that would promote research and

3EpsilonProgrammehttps://www.tacr.cz/index.php/en/programmes/epsilon-programme.html

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innovationcapacity, inparticularof theselectedpriorityareasat thenationalandregional level(RIS3).

The social challenges related to smart specialisation in the Czech Republicwere defined as thefollowing:

• Competitiveknowledge-basedeconomy

• Sustainabilityoftheenergysectorandmaterialresources

• Environmentforqualitylife

• Socialandculturalchallenges

• Healthypopulation

• Safesociety.

ThesearelinkedtotheNationalPrioritiesofOrientatedResearch,ExperimentalDevelopmentandInnovation.4

The knowledge domains for the purpose of smart specialisation in the Czech Republic weredefinedas:

• advancedmaterials

• nanotechnology

• micro-andnanoelectronics

• photonics

• advancedmanufacturingtechnologies,and

• industrialbiotechnology.

Thekeyareaswhereitwasidentifiedthatchangeisneededincluded:

• higher innovation performance of companies (increasing the innovation demand incompaniesandinthepublicsector,andincreasingtheinternationalisationofSMEsandofthestatusofenterprisesinthesociety);

• improving the quality of public research (and improving the problem-orientation ofresearchinknowledgedomainsthatarerelevantforintelligentspecialisation);

• increasingtheeconomicbenefitsofpublicresearch(anditsrelevancetotheneedsoftheapplicationsector);

• improved availability of Human Resources, in terms of both quality and quantity, forinnovative enterprise, research and development (improving the quality of schoolgraduatesandR&Dstaff,andidentifyingandmakinguseoftalent);

• thedevelopmentofeGovernmentandeBusinessforincreasedcompetitiveness(includingdevelopmentofinfrastructureinICT);and

4http://www.priority2030.cz/

13

• improvementandbetterutilisationof socialcapitalandcreativity inaddressingcomplexsocial challenges (promoting open partnership co-operation while seeking experimentalsolutionstoaddresssocialchallengesandsystemicallyusingsuccessfullyprovenmodels,aswellaspromotingandmakingbetterofcooperationamong localactors inaddressingproblems in the area of employment, economic development and social inclusion inregionsoftheCzechRepublic).

Furtherpolicydevelopments intheresearchand innovationarea includesubstantialgovernancereforms, particularly with respect to evaluation and funding. A comprehensive evaluationframework,withlinkstofunding,isbeingdevelopedbasedontheIPNMetodikaproject.5Theaimof this project is to make research, development and innovation more attractive to scientificworkers,tosupportresearch,developmentandinnovation(R&D&I)excellence,tomotivateyoungpeopletoworkinthisareaandtofindmechanismsforfinancialappraisalbasedonthequalityoftheworkdone(seeboxbelow).

AsoutlinedintheNationalStrategyforR&D(2016-2020),adoptedbytheGovernmentalCouncilforR&DinNovember2015,theenvisagedsystemshouldbringtheevaluationframeworkclosertointernationalbestpractice,includingfactorssuchasthelevelofinternationalcooperationandtherelevance of research (SWD(2016) 73 final). This new evaluation system is based onrecommendations from the International Research, Development and Innovation Audit in theCzechRepublic(Audit-vav).

Thetimelineforintroducingreformedevaluationandfundingsystemsisstillunclearandwillnothappen before 2017. The European Structural and Investment Funds will finance a number ofmajorprojectstoimprovetheoverallenvironmentforR&D,includinganewsystemofevaluationand financing of research institutions and projects aimed at the strategicmanagement of R&Dinstitutions(SWD(2016)73final).

Inaddition,asoneofthebottleneckshasbeenlowcooperationbetweenacademiaandindustry,there isaCompetenceCentresProgramme runningfrom2012-2019,whichaimstosupporttheestablishmentandoperationof centres for research,developmentand innovation in fields thatshowpotentialforinnovationandapplication(SWD(2016)73final).Toevaluatethiscooperationandtotargetfunding,inJanuary2016theGovernmentadoptedaStrategyforR&DInformationSystems2016-2020,whichisafollowupoftheNationalResearch,DevelopmentandInnovationPolicyoftheCzechRepublic2009-2015.Suchinitiativesareexpectedtohaveamajor impactontheresearchandinnovationsystemintheCzechRepublic.In November 2015, the Czech Government approved the re-launch of a plan to establish aNationalInnovationFund.Thiswillbeaseedfundtosupportstart-upsandthecommercialisationofR&D.Itisexpectedtostartoperatingin2017(SWD(2016)73final).

Energypolicy

As mentioned above, the focus in the Czech Republic is on energy efficiency and renewableenergy. Energy efficiency is expected to receive a big boost from EU funds. With regard torenewable energy, no explicit renewables target is set for 2030 in the State Energy StrategyapprovedbythegovernmentinMay2015,althoughindicativetargetsandoptionsofadiversified

5http://metodika.reformy-msmt.cz/en/

14

energymixofprimaryenergysourcesarespecified(SWD(2016)73final).The2015StateEnergyStrategy has been updated from 2004 after more than 10 years of negotiations and providesdirection for the Czech energy sector for next 25 years.6 According to the strategy, the mostimportant resources are nuclear and renewables. The strategy focuses on decreasing CO2emissionsandincreasingenergysavings.

Wastemanagement

ThenewWasteManagementPlanoftheCzechRepublicfortheperiod2015-2024waspreparedin 2014 by theMinistry of Environment, and adopted by the Czech Government. The strategicobjectives of this plan are the prevention and reduction of waste production, minimisation ofadverseeffectsofwasteonhumanhealthandtheenvironment,sustainabledevelopmentandamovetowardsarecyclingsociety,themaximumutilisationofwasteasaprimaryresourceandthetransitiontoacirculareconomy.Thelastobjectiveisimportantwithinthecontextofthisreportasitisdirectlylinkedtoacirculareconomy.

In the last two years, significant steps have been taken to improve wastemanagement in theCzechRepublic.Thereareplanstoabolishlandfillsofcertainwastestreams–e.g.mixedmunicipalwaste,from2024(WasteManagementPlan2015-2024)–whichwillmovewastemanagementintheCzechRepublichigherupthewastehierarchy.

EpsilonProgrammeoftheTechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic:

Theprogrammesupportsthedevelopmentofindustrialapplicationsusingnewtechnologiesandnew materials in the energy, environment and transport sectors. Two of the three sub-programmesfocusonenergyandmaterialsandenvironment.Theprogrammerunsfrom2015to 2025, with the first call in 2014 and first projects starting in 2015. Annual calls will bepublisheduntil2018. It isexpectedthattheaveragesupportperprojectwillbeCZK10million(approximately €370,000), with a total expenditure on the programme of CZK16.1billion(approximately €590million) ofwhich 60%will be covered from the state budget. Supportedprojectswouldincludethosedevelopingpatents,prototypes,pilotplants,verifiedtechnologies,software,industrialdesign,andcertifiedmethodologiesandpractices.

Keywords:R&Dsupport,industrialapplications,energyandmaterials,environment

Links:https://www.tacr.cz/index.php/en/programmes/epsilon-programme.html

IPNMetodikaproject

Theobjectiveoftheproject istocreateaproposalforanewsystemoffinancingforresearch,development and innovation. The new frameworkwould replace the currentmethodology ofevaluating the results of research institutions with one that is more effective and takes into

6http://www.cms-lawnow.com/ealerts/2015/05/czech-republic-state-energy-strategy-approved

15

accountinternationalresearchqualitystandards.

Theproject ran from2012 till2015,underacontract to theMinistryofEducation,YouthandSportsof theCzechRepublic, incooperationwith theR&D&ICounciland itsResultEvaluationCommittee.Thefinalreportsynthesisestheoutcomesandprovidesrecommendations.Someofthese includetheneedfor fairnessandtransparency in theevaluationandfundingsystem,aswell as the importance of taking the diversity of actors involved into account and avoidingsetting different types of research organisations in competition with each other. The mainassessmentcriteriawouldbe:theresearchenvironment,membershipofthenationalandglobalresearchcommunity,scientificresearchexcellence,overallresearchperformanceandrelevanceforsociety.Furtherdetailscanbefoundinthesummaryreport.

Keywords:researchandinnovationframework,evaluationofresearchandinnovationoutcomes

Links:http://metodika.reformy-msmt.cz/en/

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ReferencesGovernmentoftheCzechRepublic,SectionofDeputyPrimeMinisterfortheScience,ResearchandInnovation, 2016, Strategy for R&D Information Systems 2016-2020. Available athttp://www.vyzkum.cz/FrontClanek.aspx?idsekce=766910

IPN Metodika project, 2012-2015, Effective Evaluation and Financing System for Research,DevelopmentandInnovation.

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Mezinárodní audit výzkumu, vývoje a inovací v ČR aimplementacejehovýsledkůdostrategickýchdokumentůproject(InternationalAuditofResearch,Development & Innovation in the Czech Republic and their implementation into strategicdocuments),2009-2012.Availableathttp://audit-vav.reformy-msmt.cz/

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, 2014, National Research and Innovation Strategy forSmartSpecialisationoftheCzechRepublic(NationalRIS3Strategy).

MinistryofEnvironment,2016,Listofpriority researchobjectivesof theMinistryofEnvironmentforthe2ndpubliccalloftheEPSILONprogramme.MadeavailabletotheauthorbytheMinistryofEnvironment.

MinistryofEnvironment,2016,ProgrammetosupportNGOprojects foryear2015 in the fieldofenvironmentalprotection.Availableathttp://www.mzp.cz/cz/program_pro_nno_2015

Ministry of Environment, 2014, Waste Management Plan of the Czech Republic for the period2015-2024

MinistryofIndustryandTradeoftheCzechRepublic,2015,NationalActionPlanofCleanMobility(Národníakčníplánčistémobility)(NAPCM)for2020-2030.

SWD(2016) 73 final, Commission StaffWorkingDocument: Country Report CzechRepublic 2016,European Commission. Available at:http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/pdf/csr2016/cr2016_czech_en.pdf

The Research and Development and Innovation Information System of the Czech Republic.Availableathttps://www.isvav.cz/-providesinformationonstatefundingproviders,R&Dfundingprogrammesandprojects.

TechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic,Availableathttps://www.tacr.cz/index.php/en/

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, 2016, List of supported projects. Available at:https://www.isvav.cz/findProjectByFilter.do?typVyhledavani=advanced&prjIntCode=&prjIntName=&druhSoutezeKod=&kodSouteze=&providerCode=TA0&updateForm=&celkoveNakladyMin=&celkoveNakladyMax=&celkoveNakladyStatniMin=&celkoveNakladyStatniMax=&categoryCode=&activityType=&activityCode=&branchCode=DM&typOboru=1&keyword=&currentYear=2016&stavPosledniFazeKod=&stavFazeKod=&stavovyFiltrRok=2016&yearStartFrom=&yearStartTo=&yearEndFrom=&yearEndTo=&pocetPrijemcuMin=&pocetPrijemcuMax=&pocetSpoluprijemcuMin=&pocetSpoluprijemcuMax=&pocetVysledkuMin=&pocetVysledkuMax=&evalCode=&rolePrijemce=2&orgName=&orgICO=&kodSubjektu=&kategorieSubjektu=&nazevOrgJednotky=&kodOrgJednotky=&prijmeniPrijemce=&jmenoPrijemce=&vyzOrgRok=2016&vyzOrgPoskyt=any&vyzOrg=0&roleResitele=3&personSurname=&personName=&personId=&sortType=0&formType=1

17

18

ANNEX:Policymeasuresaddressingcirculareconomyandeco-innovationsintheCzechRepublic

Groupofpolicymeasures Typeofpolicymeasure

Specificmeasure

Pleaseprovidereferencetoorbriefsummaryofspecificmeasures(national,regional)

Focusofpolicymeasure(tickifrelevant)

Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation

Resourceefficiencyimproveme

nt

Energyefficiencyimprovement

Reductionofemissionsincl.CO2

Otherrelevantareas(e.g.renewableenergy,etc)

SUPP

LYSIDEFO

CUS

Equity/businesssupport

Publiclyco-fundedventurecapitalfunds

-

-

-

Publicguaranteefunds

SupportforR&Dinpublicsectorandindustry

R&Dfunding

- The main providers of competitive funding are the Czech ScienceFoundation, which provides smaller grants for basic research, and theCzech Technology Agency, which provides the funding for appliedresearch,developmentandinnovationprojects.

x x x x

TheProgrammeEPSILON,approvedin2013,isfocusedonthefinancingofappliedresearch,developmentandinnovationprojectswithhighpotentialforrapidapplicationofresultsinnewproducts,productionprocessesandservices.

x x x x

Re-launchoftheNationalInnovationFundin2017 x

Collaborativegrants

Thestatebudget, theStateEnvironmentFundof theCzechRepublic,EUstructural funds –NationalOperational Programmes, TechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic.

x x x x x x

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Support Strategy 2014 – 2020Strategic Priority 2 – Development of Enterprise Based on Support forResearch, Development and Innovation, includes support for thedevelopment of the business and innovation infrastructure with anemphasis on promoting the cooperation between firms and researchorganisations.

19


Specificmeasure



Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation


nt




R&Dinfrastructure

InvestmentforR&DinfrastructureisprovidedthroughEuropeanstructuralfundsandspecificnationaloperationalprogrammes.

x x

Fiscalmeasures

TaxincentivesforR&Dandstart-ups

The Income Tax Act provides a possibility for corporate taxpayers todeductcostsoftheirownR&Dactivities(100%)fromtheirtaxbase.

TheITAnowalsoenablesthedeductionofexpendituresonR&Dcoveringservices related to the realisation of R&D projects (contractual R&D). Inaddition,thetaxdeductionincreasesfrom100%to110%inspecificcases:if R&D expenditures increased in comparisonwith preceding tax period.Thesemeasureshavebeeninforcesince1January2014.

x

TaxincentivesforR&Dpersonnel

Education,trainingandmobility

Tailoredtrainingcoursesforcompanies,entrepreneurs

Enterprise Europe Network for the Czech Republic, Technology CentreASCR,CentreforRegionalDevelopmentoftheCzechRepublic,TechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic.

x

Advise/consultingforstartups,companies,entrepreneurs

Enterprise Europe Network for the Czech Republic, Technology CentreASCR,CentreforRegionalDevelopmentoftheCzechRepublic,TechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic.

x

TheCzechAgencyforForeignInvestments(CzechInvest),CzechTrade

20


Specificmeasure



Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation


nt




Placementschemesforstudents

SupportforR&Dworkersrecruitments

Networksandpartnerships

Competencecentres,clusters,science-technology

parks

CompetenceCentresProgramme2012-2019 x x x

Technologyplatformsandinnovationnetworks

Technologycentresandbusiness support servicesare supported throughthe systemofprogrammesapprovedbyagovernment resolution,withinthe strategy of support to projects in progressive technologies andactivitieswithhighaddedvalueandstrongexportpotential.

x

Support is provided to a number of cleantech clusters and technologyparks in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, wastemanagement,andnanotechnology(includinggreennanotechnology).

x x x x x x

Foresightandcommonvisionbuilding

Marketintelligenceandotherformsofinformation

sharing

DE MA

ND

SID E FOC

USRegulationsand

standardsRegulations,targets,cap&

tradeschemesIn the Czech Republic, the following tools are mainly used to supportenvironmentaltechnologiesandeco-innovations:

21


Specificmeasure



Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation


nt




-emissionlimitvaluesforpollutionsources,e.g.emissionstoairandwater–IEDimplemented

x x x

- global standards of environmental quality, e.g. pollution limits,requirementsforwaterquality–IEDimplemented

- technical requirements for operating equipment, e.g. sources of airpollution,sourcesofwaterpollution,landfills,largeindustrialcomplexes–IEDimplemented

-quantitativerequirementsatthenationallevel,e.g.theKyotoobligation,national emission ceilings, reduction in the quantity of biologicallydegradablewastedepositedintolandfills.

x x

Performancestandards,labelling,certification

Therearethefollowingperformancestandards,labelling,etc.:

-productstandards,e.g.fuels,packaging

- obligations for handling certain commodities, e.g. chemical substancesand agents,GMO, selected types ofwaste, labelling, packaging – REACHandCLPRegulationimplemented

- permits tooperateequipment and to conduct activities influencing theenvironment according to the relevant laws on components of theenvironment–integratedpermission–IEDimplemented

-systemsofenvironmentalmanagement(EMAS,ISO14000)

x x

-eco-labelling(nationallabellingsystem)

-projectsforcleanerproduction;

x x

-voluntaryagreements.

Publicprocurement

“Green“publicprocurementofgoodsandservices

Publicprocurementincludes:

-theGovernmentResolutionNo.720/2000ontheproposaltosupportthedevelopmentofthesaleandusageofenvironmentallyfriendlyproducts;

x

-supporting structures and mechanisms for the application of voluntarytools,suchaseco-labellingorsystemsofenvironmentalmanagement.

x x

R&DprocurementNational Research, Development and Innovation Policy of the CzechRepublic in 2009-2015, followed by the Strategy for R&D Information

x

22


Specificmeasure



Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation


nt




Systems2016-2020

NationalResearchand InnovationStrategy forSmartSpecialisation (RIS3)oftheCzechRepublic(2014)

x

NationalStrategyforR&D(2016-2020) x

Pre-commercialprocurement

TechnologyTransfer

Advisorysupportfortechnologyadopters

Financialorfiscalsupportfortechnologyadopters

(e.g.grantsforpurchasingnewtechnology)

Thestatebudget, theStateEnvironmentFundof theCzechRepublic,EUstructuralfunds,NationalOperationalProgrammes,TechnologyAgencyoftheCzechRepublic.

x x x x x

Supportofprivatedemand

Taxincentivesforconsumers(e.g.forpurchasing

environmentallyefficientproducts)

Taxreductionsforproductsandservices(e.g.VAT

reductions)

Demandsubsidies(e.g.eco-vouchers,consumer

subsidies)

Awarenessraisingand There are several activities aimed at awareness raising and information x x x x x x

23


Specificmeasure



Circulareconomy

Genericfocusoneco-

innovation


nt




informationprovision disseminationoninnovationandeco-innovationintheCzechRepublic.

AbouttheEco-InnovationObservatory(EIO)

The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is the initiative financed by the European Commission’sDirectorate-General for the Environment. The Observatory is developing an integrated informationsource and a series of analyses on eco-innovation trends andmarkets, targeting business, innovationserviceproviders,policymakersaswellasresearchersandanalysts.

VisitEIOandDGENVEco-innovationActionPlan(EcoAP)websiteandregistertogetaccesstomoreinformationandtoaccessallEIOreports,briefsanddatabases

www.eco-innovation.euec.europa.eu/environment/ecoap

Documents

Eco-innovation in the Czech Republic · 2016. 8. 25. · Eco-Innovation Observatory The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and analysis