Sustainable Innovation

Eco-Innovation Summit - South-East
1st May 2007
Bush Conference Centre
Farnham
Surrey

Background
Global markets for sustainable products, technologies and services are predicted to reach $700 billion by 2010. To seize these market opportunities will require high quality R&D and commercialisation systems to have been implemented in the UK, if we are not to loose out to our competitors. This means that inventors will need to be talking to researchers who in turn will need to be networking with funders, entrepreneurs and others. Emerging opportunities are on the horizon e.g. the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan highlighted chances for eco-innovative solutions. (see www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/ publications/pdf/Sustainable
ProcurementActionPlan.pdf). However, is the UK eco-innovation system in place to respond and deliver? There are still many challenges that need to be tackled before eco-innovation can be accelerated in the UK. Recent research (see www.dti.gov.uk/files/file34987.pdf) indicated a number of key issues:
* Need for government to play a leadership role
* Complex and time-consuming standardisation processes
* Need for improved business skills amongst start-ups
* Difficulties in setting-up demonstrations

The Stern Review (see www.sternreview.org.uk) also underlined that increased investment in R&D and innovation could significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

What is Eco-innovation?
Eco-innovation is any form of innovation aiming at significant and demonstrable progress towards the goal of sustainable development, through reducing impacts on the environment or achieving a more efficient and responsible use of natural resources, including energy.
(Source: Competitiveness and Innovation Framework (2007 to 2013)

Eco-innovation is the creation of novel and competitively priced goods, processes, systems, services, and procedures designed to satisfy human needs and provide a better quality of life for all, with a life-cycle minimal use of natural resources (materials including energy, and surface area) per unit ouput, and a minimal release of toxic substances. Eco-industry includes businesses across all sectors that are pro-actively and demonstrably involved in eco-innovation, including novel solutions to satisfy legally set standards, norms and requirements.
(Source: Europa INNOVA Thematic Workshop, Lead Markets and Innovation, 29-30th June 2006, Munich, Germany).

The Event
'Eco-Innovation Summit - South-East' will bring together a unique group of leading-edge speakers with a variety of practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of implementing eco-innovation. The event aims to take thinking and practice forward through addressing a number of key questions throughout the day:
* What are key obstacles to achieving higher levels of eco-innovation?
* How can public procurement drive eco-innovation?
* Are supply chains in place to deliver eco-innovation?
* What support is needed to build eco-innovation capacity?
* What is the role of the regions in stimulating eco-innovation?

9.30 Welcome
Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, University for the Creative Arts

9.55 Keynote
Hunter Lovins note
Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, University for the Creative Arts

3.15 Eco-Innovation: findings of three studies
Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, University for the Creative Arts