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Actions
Action 1. Policy and regulation
European environmental policy has moved European industries towards greater sustainability. The goal now is to integrate eco-innovation in environmental and industrial policies by focussing on its contribution to economic growth, job creation and EU industry competitiveness.

Action 2. Demonstration projects and partnerships
However promising they may look on paper, many eco-innovation technologies still fail to make the leap from lab to market. Through programmes such as Horizon 2020, the Commission works to ensure appropriate funding for market replication and demonstration projects, clusters and public-private partnerships, and networks implementing innovative public procurement.

Action 3. Standards and performance targets
Eco-innovation benefits from ambitious standards and performance targets. Working with Member States and international standardisation bodies, the Commission works to identify areas where standards and performance targets could have the biggest impact and to propose their development.

Action 4. Funding and SME support
Public sector finance is crucial to accelerate eco-innovation in the private sector, especially in SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). To bring new investors onboard, the Commission aims to trigger support to SMEs from the public sector and financial intermediaries and accelerate the take-up of eco-innovation in the private sector. Measures include a European network of eco-innovation financiers, new funding instruments that offer targeted debt and equity facilities, and expansion of other services to SMEs, to help find and exploit eco-innovation opportunities.

Action 5. International cooperation
Emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil offer new market and partnership opportunities for European eco-investors. To capitalise on these opportunities, the Commission works to promote global sustainable consumption and production patterns, technology transfer and exchange of best practices with developing and emerging economies to help European eco-innovators access international markets.

Action 6. New skills and jobs
The EU Skills Panorama is a Commission initiative mapping out current and future skills needs in Europe, with a focus on green jobs. The aim is to ensure that the labour force is equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge to drive forward the green economy transition.

Action 7. European Innovation Partnerships
European Innovation Partnerships are initiatives that aim to bring together public and private actors to promote breakthrough innovations with big market potential in key sectors that could contribute to greater resource efficiency. Under the Innovation Union, such Partnerships are being set up for raw materials, sustainable agriculture, water and smart cities.

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[1] European Environment Agency: http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-