Eco-Innovation Scoreboard

The figure depicts the level of performance of the EU and its Member States in terms of eco-innovation, as measured by the Eco-Innovation Index. High performance is led by Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark and Austria. Data show a gradual increase of the EU score between 2012 and 2021 (raise of 21 index scores, meaning also a 21% increase) and overall increases for almost all Member States (ranging from 1 to 36 index scores, and from 2% to 61% of relative change). The highest increases in performance (i.e. increased index value in absolute terms), have been observed for Greece, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia, all countries below the EU Eco-Innovation Index average. This gives insight about how many countries lagging behind the EU average are catching up. Also about countries where the uptake of eco-innovation has been limited so far. 

It needs to be noted that these data are a proxy of innovation towards a circular economy: while eco-innovation is needed for the transition to a circular economy, eco-innovation itself is not a one-to-one indication of innovation enabling a more circular economy.

Eco-Innovation refers to innovation resulting in or aiming at significant and demonstrable progress towards sustainable development, through reducing impacts on the environment, enhancing resilience to environmental pressures, or achieving a more efficient and responsible use of natural resource. It therefore can also relate to innovation towards a more circular economy (e.g. material sourcing, products’ design, use and end of life, etc.). Eco-innovation can include public support and research & development (R&D) in sustainable innovation, among other.