deliverable 7.2, phase iii, policy impact briefing document 2
TRANSCRIPT
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Deliverable D7.2 (Phase III)
LCA to go Policy Briefing Document Grant Agreement number: 265096
Project Acronym: LCA to go
Project title: Boosting Life Cycle Assessment Use in European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Funding Scheme: Small or medium-scale focused research project
Project starting date: January 1, 2011
Project duration: 48 months
Delivery date: January 16, 2015
Deliverable number: D 7.2
Work package number: 7
Lead participant: Ecodesign Centre
Nature: Report
Dissemination level: PU
Lead Author: Dominique Lyons, Anna Whicher
Project co-ordinator: Karsten Schischke Fraunhofer IZM Tel: +49-30-46403-156 Fax: +49-30-46403-211 E-mail: [email protected]
Project website: www.lca2go.eu
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Content
1 List of Exhibits .................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 5
3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 The challenge ....................................................................................................................... 7
4 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 9
5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 11
6 Results ................................................................................................................................................. 13
7 Case Studies ..................................................................................................................................... 15
7.1 Case Study Number 1: .................................................................................................... 16
7.2 Case Study Number 2: ................................................................................................... 18
7.3 Case Study Number 3: .................................................................................................. 20
8 Ecodesign Policy Context ......................................................................................................... 23
9 Method .............................................................................................................................................. 28
9.1 Examining the strengths and the weaknesses .................................................. 29
9.2 Jointly developing Policy Proposals ...................................................................... 29
9.3 Strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool ............................................ 30
9.3.1 Users ................................................................................................................................... 30
9.3.2 Support .............................................................................................................................. 31
9.3.3 Promotion ........................................................................................................................ 31
9.3.4 Actors ................................................................................................................................. 32
9.3.5 Research and knowledge exchange .................................................................... 32
9.3.6 Education .......................................................................................................................... 33
9.3.7 Professional design sector ........................................................................................ 33
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9.3.8 Policy and governance .............................................................................................. 33
9.3.9 Funding .............................................................................................................................. 34
10 Policy Proposals ......................................................................................................................... 35
10.1.1 Users ................................................................................................................................. 35
10.1.2 Support ........................................................................................................................... 35
10.1.3 Promotion ...................................................................................................................... 36
10.1.4 Actors ............................................................................................................................... 36
10.1.5 Research and Knowledge Exchange ................................................................. 37
10.1.6 Education ....................................................................................................................... 37
10.1.7 Professional Design Sector .................................................................................... 38
10.1.8 Policy, Governance and Regulation ................................................................. 38
10.1.9 Funding ........................................................................................................................... 38
11 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 39
12 References ..................................................................................................................................... 42
13 Authors and Contributors ...................................................................................................... 44
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1 List of Exhibits
Figure. 1: SME categorization according to the European Commission………...8
Figure. 2: Environmental inputs and outputs of a product considering its full lifecycle……………………………………………………………………………………10
Figure. 3: Lifecycle stages assessed in the LCA to go tool, sector by sector….12
Figure 4: Ecodesign Centre train PV SME Solar-Sense UK in life cycle thinking and how to use LCA to go…………………………………………………………16
Figure 5: Carbon emissions at different lifecycle stages of assessed PE bottle……………………………………………………………………………………….18
Figure 6: Micropro D4R Laptop.…………………………………………………….…………20
Figure 7: Carbon performance of Micropro’s D4R laptop benchmarked against Toshiba Satellite C55 A5245 in the LCA to go: electronics tool…………………………………………………………………………………….........22
Figure 8: [Workshop image] Participants examining the strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool, Brussels, 05.12.14………………….28
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2 Executive Summary
In December 2014, 15 delegates from the European Commission, Welsh
Government, a trade association and local government service providers joined
beneficiaries and partners (industry and academic) of the LCA to go project for
‘LCA to go Policy Workshop’ in Brussels.
The interactive workshop hosted by Ecodesign Centre, PDR at Cardiff
Metropolitan University, sought opportunity for European policy to support the
uptake of simplified lifecycle assessments (LCA) by Europe’s SMEs. The workshop
marked the final stages of the four year FP71 funded project ‘LCA to go: Boosting
Life Cycle Assessment Use in European Small and Medium Sized Enterprises’;
whose findings provided the baseline for the workshop.
Lifecycle assessments (LCAs) are regarded as being among the best
environmental assessments but carry a reputation for high cost and complexity.
To tackle this, the LCA to go project developed a lifecycle-based assessment tool
specifically for seven sectors (bio-based plastics, computer-like devices,
photovoltaics, sensors, printed circuit boards, machine tools and smart textiles).
99 SMEs benefitted from free training in lifecycle thinking and how to use the
LCA to go tool, their feedback recorded and case studies of their experience
produced. Through the 99 case studies, the LCA to go project (overall) could
celebrate success in breaking down barriers associated to LCA uptake2.
1 FP7 is the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/understanding/fp7inbrief/what-is_en.html
2 Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p53-54 www.lca2go.eu
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The LCA to go Policy Workshop focused on two systemic exercises to: 1)
examine the strengths and weaknesses of both the LCA to go tool and general
LCA in Europe and 2) brainstorm policy proposals to capitalise on the strengths
and tackle the gaps.
Taking a systemic approach involved examining all aspects of the supply and
demand elements of the tool and LCA including: 1) Users 2) Support
Programmes 3) Promotion Initiatives 4) Actors 5) Policy and Government 6)
Funding 7) Research and Knowledge Exchange 8) Education and 9) the
Professional Design Sector as an effective policy should consider all
components.
The uptake of life cycle thinking in environmental policies in the EU offers great
possibilities of the use of LCA technique. Using hands-on, design-led methods
involving policy-makers, SMEs, academics and third sector organisations, we
have developed some policy proposals targeted at the ecodesign sector, regional
and national governments as well as the European Commission.
"LCA to go has enabled SMEs to take advantage of a responsive
design-friendly tool to improve both their competitiveness and their
environmental footprint. LCA to go has proved that such
streamlined approaches are feasible for SMEs, and should be further
rolled out across the EU, to help Europe's smaller firms to grow their
businesses in a "smart and clean" way that is sustainable in every
sense of the word.”
Mr. Michael Bennet, Policy Officer, DG Enterprise and Industry, European
Commission
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3 Introduction
Lifecycle assessments (LCA) are considered the most advanced tool for
improving the environmental performance of products, but are also considered
complicated and costly, with technical know-how a pre-requisite for their
execution. With 99% of Europe’s businesses classified as micro, small or medium
sized enterprises (SMEs)3 much work is needed to ensure the wider uptake of
this effective environmental assessment. From 2011- 2014, 18 partners from
across academia and industry in Europe have collaborated in the delivery of a
€5.5m FP7 funded project called LCA to go, to boost the use of LCA among
Europe’s SMEs.
3.1 The challenge
SMEs often have limited resources concerning time, staff, money and expertise,
detrimental to the requirements of an LCA study. Despite previous efforts by the
scientific community to simplify LCA methodology, it had not been enough to
encourage SMEs to undertake lifecycle assessments.
3 Muller, P. et al (2014) ‘A Partial and Fragile Recovery’ European Commission Annual Report on European SMEs 2013/2014, page 6
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Figure. 1: SME categorization according to the European Commission4
4 European Commission, Enterprise and Industry Publications (2003/5) ‘The new SME definition, user guide and model declaration’, page 14
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4 Objectives
All products have life cycles with interlinked stages throughout the supply chain.
In order to make a product, materials are extracted and processed, the product is
distributed, then used by the customer before ending its life in the waste stream.
Energy and raw materials are inputted throughout each stage of the lifecycle
with emissions being released into the air, land and water (Fig. 2).
The number of processes analysed in an LCA is where its complexity lies, so
boundaries need to be drawn to prioritise the most significant impact categories.
Choosing these boundaries, areas to data mine and how best to apply results
can prove overwhelming for a novice. This combined with extensive data mining
requirements, lack of awareness, expertise and resources, and the high costs
involved to carry out an LCA were among the main barriers identified to SME
uptake5. To tackle these, the following objectives were defined:
1. Boost use of LCA in SMEs
2. Develop simplified operative methods and tools
3. Development of sector-specific ecodesign and LCA approaches
4. Development of an online, open source toolbox
LCA to go would quantify the environmental interactions sector by sector and
relate them back to a company’s decisions, enabling SMEs to identify
environmental and commercial performance improvements.
LCA to go would support SMEs to perform lifecycle -based assessments through
sector specific training and the development of a sector specific online tool. The
tool would need to be free, easy and quick to use. The sectors chosen were bio-
5 O’Rafferty, S. (2012) ‘Detailed Policy Recommendation Report and Briefings’ page 17-19 www.lca2go.eu
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based plastics, photovoltaics (PV), machine tools, computer-like devices, printed
circuit boards (PCBs), sensors and smart textiles.
Figure 2: Environmental inputs and outputs of a product considering its full lifecycle6
6 Sherry, J. (2013) 'LCA to go', a presentation at Welsh Government Innovation Team meeting 30 July 2013
energy raw material
air emissions water emissions solid waste
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5 Methodology
Seven sector specific tools and methodologies were developed by combining
the results of existing LCAs, LCA datasets and the experience of LCA case studies
internally to the project, half of the project’s duration was dedicated to this.
An academic expert and SME for each sector worked together with software
developers to oversee the tool and ensure it met scientific and business
requirements, with the SME taking on the role of quality assurance. Tailored
parameterized models for each sector were defined with Key Environmental
Performance Indicators (KEPIs) to guide the users in their assessment.
Trade offs took place regarding the complexity of data mining for the SMEs that
would result in unnecessary complications to usability and increase the need for
SME decision-making. Depending on the sector, different elements of the supply
chain were targeted e.g. manufacturers of bio-based plastics were targeted for
their contribution to the highest environmental impact, and designers of PV
systems towards the end of the chain as this is where the European market is
most prolific.
It was decided that Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) were a good entry point for
SMEs in LCA, so an SME-compatible PCF methodology became the focus for the
tool.
The final stage of the project encompassed the training of 99 SMEs in lifecycle
thinking and how to use the LCA to go tool.
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Figure. 3: Lifecycle stages assessed in the LCA to go tool, sector by sector7
7 Harlow, R. (2014) ‘Intersectoral Synergies’ (figure 2) page 25 www.lca2go.eu
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6 Results
1. 583 tool registrations (including partner registrations)
2. 99 SMEs trained across six sectors by seven partners in the LCA to go
consortium
Overall, training delivered by the partners in life cycle thinking and how to use
the LCA to go tool removed barriers by increasing awareness of what LCA is and
what it means for their sector. In addition to this, the majority of the SMEs found
the tools quick and easy to use, at least reducing if not removing time, resources
and data mining barriers. A barrier lifted partly was the lack of incentives in
performing LCA assessments, with the opportunity to gain competitor
advantage a common motivation for SMEs agreeing to training. This was
especially true where it was communicated to the SME that their results would
be downloadable into a PDF document and could be used in their marketing
activities8. All 99 case studies can be viewed online under the appropriate
sectors: http://www.lca2go.eu/sectors.en.html.
The main motivations for SMEs signing up for the LCA to go training was to add
value for their customers, gain competitor advantage in acquiring new ones
(especially in the case of public procurement) and prepare for future legislation9.
However, the lack of market demand and legislation in LCA means that asking
SMEs to work outside business as usual is a challenge, especially when short-
term financial factors are prioritised.
8 Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p. 51 www.lca2go.eu
9 Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p47-51 www.lca2go.eu
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The opportunities presented therefore are:
-‐ Inclusion of LCA in legislation
-‐ Prioritise LCA in local and national government procurement
-‐ Incite demand for LCA through public awareness campaigns
-‐ Corporate responsibility in supporting uptake of LCA through the supply
chain
-‐ Incentives for SMEs who are implementing LCAs
-‐ Lead by example –support for SMEs who are or have the potential to
innovate the market place in their uptake of LCA, and support their products
through to market release, paving the way for a competitive ecodesign
market
-‐ LCA labeling
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7 Case Studies
SMEs who took on role of quality assurance in the project made some
impressive LCA integrations in their product development, as demonstrated in
the MicroPro case study [no. 3] which acts as a perfect ‘opportunity’ to ‘lead by
example’. Two further case studies, Solar Sense UK (photovoltaics) [no. 1] and
RPC Envases S.A. (bio-based plastics) [no.2] demonstrate SME experience of
short training in life cycle thinking and how to use the LCA to go tool
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7.1 Case Study Number 1:
Figure 4: Ecodesign Centre train PV SME solar-Sense in Life cycle thinking and how to use LCA to
go.
Peter Dicken is responsible for overseeing PV system design at
Bristol-based specialists, Solar-Sense UK.
Solar-Sense UK’s client base is split between domestic and commercial,
encompassing large international corporations and public procurement.
Recently they have installed a system on the dairy farm of the late Micheal Evis,
legendary founder and host of the world famous Glastonbury festival.
Solar-Sense UK is instrumental in ‘Bristol Solar City’, an ambitious collaborative
project that aims to generate 1GW of the cities power from PV by 2020.
Prior to training, Peter had briefly studied LCA in university so was intrigued to
hear that LCA to go was available, complete with free training provided by
PV
Solar Sense UK
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Ecodesign Centre. In a competitive sector that increasingly faces challenges,
Peter is keen to keep up to date with the latest technologies and research
advancements.
When assessing his chosen PV system, Peter was pleased to confirm the inner-
tech modules favoured by his company were an efficient choice, largely
contributing to a low energy payback time of around two years.
Due to time constraints, he predicts that he will use the tool at the clients’
request and that his most interested will be commercial customers. In particular,
companies in the food sector who are increasingly prioritising sustainability.
Peter said: “Using LCA to go has confirmed that Solar Sense UK are doing the
right thing, for our customers and the environment. There is potential that it
could be used as a tool to improve customer relations. The training has definitely
improved my knowledge of life cycle thinking and my future application of it.”
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7.2 Case Study Number 2:
Bio- based plastics
RPC Envases S.A.
Figure 5: Carbon emissions at different lifecycle stages of assessed PE bottle
Based in Madrid, RPC Envases S.A. manufacture blow-moulded
bottles for food, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical sectors.
Quality Manager Ms. Maite Martín and Sales Officer Mr. Miguel Lozano wanted
to benefit from the free LCA to go training offered by partner ITENE to serve
customer demands and market needs. They also wanted to assess
environmental impacts as part of product development and support their overall
business improvement strategy.
The LCA to go tool was used to assess packaging of a 125ml concentrated air
freshener, with the aim to identify ways to minimise its carbon footprint.
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Through ITENE’s training and the results of the LCA to go tool, it was estimated
that RPC Envases could reduce their carbon footprint by 3.46% if the air
freshener bottle was made from bio-based polyethylene.
It was also realized that a change in raw material suppliers could make
substantial carbon savings during transportation.
Ms. Maite Martín said: “The mentored training with LCA to go tool has help us
know from an early stage the environmental impacts of our decisions”.
Mr. Miguel Lozano, Sales Dept. said, “LCA to go tool is an easy-to-use tool that
makes available valuable environmental information of our activities and
products”.
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7.3 Case Study Number 3:
Computer-like devices
MicroPro Computers
Figure 6: Micropro D4R Laptop 10
The manufacture of a Green Computer has been a long-standing
aspiration of Dublin based MicroPro Computers. Paul Maher and
Anne Galligan set up a small family company in 1991 and
encouraged by a strong environmental ethos, today employ over 20
staff. They manufacture and retail their own range of computer
systems, software packages and network systems. They also provide
a repair and maintenance service, which has helped extend the
operational l ifetime of equipment sold.
10 Shishke, K. Iameco Computers (2013) Electronics Case Study, LCA to go: http://www.lca2go.eu/files/case-studies/CaseStudyE_IamecoByMicroPro.pdf
!
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MicroPro’s latest desktop (V3) and laptop (D4R- pictured above) from their
iameco range was designed with the support of LCA to go, through training
provided by Fraunhofer and continued use of the tool throughout the design
processes.
The assessment of the desktop v3 gauges the carbon footprint and resource
savings of the main parts of the computer- the printed circuit boards, LCD
display, chassis, processor, and other electronic parts.
The assessment shows significant reduction in both carbon emissions and
resource use arising from the simplicity of the design and the use of carbon
capturing and recycled materials. Even more significant gains were achieved by
the business model proposed, which was based on the upgrading, take-back and
reuse of the housing and its components, extending the life of the PC threefold.
These benefits provided a carbon saving of an impressive 47-55% when
compared to a similar desktop PC using conventional and virgin materials,
assuming typical current lifetimes of PC products.
Similarly, the D4R laptop showed that significant savings could be made, as long
as an HDD drive was used (instead of an SSD drive proposed) and the aluminium
used for the housing structure was recycled. Thus, the D4R laptop could achieve
a manufacturing related carbon footprint of 7.6 kg CO2-eq. per year of use,
which is much lower when compared to a conventional laptop using 19.7 kg
CO2-eq.
Paul Maher, CEO of MicroPro Computers said: “MicroPro is very satisfied with the
work carried out within the LCA to go project, and is looking forward to further
concrete application of the LCA to go tool. In particular, the project has allowed us
to see how an LCA works from the inside, and understand how it can be tailored
to the company’s specific objectives in respect to ecodesign with financial
viability.”
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Since taking part in the project the D4R laptop has achieved the European
Ecolabel for portable computers. If they receive market success, they could lead
the way in circular economy uptake.
Figure 7: Carbon performance of Micropro’s D4R laptop benchmarked against Toshiba Satellite
C55 A5245 in the LCA to go: electronics tool.
Co2 measurement of the D4R laptop:
Generic laptop of similar size and performance (benchmark example: Toshiba Satellite C55 A5245):
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8 Ecodesign Policy Context
More than three out of four decisions directly influencing the final choice of
materials and manufacturing processes are made in the design phase11 and
between 80 to 90 percent of the ecological and economic costs are made
inevitable before the object is actually created12.
In order to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of
products in the EU, the Framework Directive was enacted in 2005 establishing
the ecodesign requirements for energy-using products13. In 2008, the European
Commission proposed extending the scope to include products that do not
consume energy directly, but play a major part in the amount of energy
consumed; for example, windows, doors and insulation materials. Following this,
in 2009, a revised directive establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign
requirements for energy-related products (ErP) was adopted14.
The Ecodesign Directive, together with the Energy Labelling Directive and Green
Public Procurement compose the Integrated Product Policy in the EU, which
aims to minimize the adverse effects of products on the environment
throughout their whole life cycle. The main objective of the introduction of life
11 Valade-Amland S. (2011) Design for People, Profit, and Planet, Design Management Review, 22(1), p. 22
12 McBride M. (2011) Triple Bottom Line by Design: Leading as if Life Matters, Design Management Review, 22(1), p.12.
13 Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 6 July 2005, establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products and amending Council Directive 92/42/EEC and Directives 96/57/EC and 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, published in Official Journal L191, 22 July 2005.
14 Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 21 October 2009, establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy using and energy related products, published in Official Journal L285, 31 October 2009.
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cycle thinking into the policy was to identify environmental risks at each stage of
the process and to avoid moving them from one to another. This imposes a
reduction of negative environmental impact throughout the stages of the
product lifecycle, when it is most effective. The application of life cycle approach
requires the use of appropriate tools and techniques, such as Life Cycle Analysis
(LCA), Life Cycle Management (LCM) or Life Cycle Cost (LCC).
The purpose of LCA is to take into account all the factors that are related to the
product that could potentially affect the environment. The analysis is carried out
to quantify and assess the environmental impact of the product during its life
cycle. This technique is becoming more and more popular in many official
documents and legal acts as well as a general business trend towards more
environmentally responsible choices. One of the first acts that mentioned the
need to identify the impact on the environment throughout the whole product
life cycle was the Council Regulation on the Community eco-label award
scheme15. The current regulation on the EU Ecolabel determines explicitly that
its criteria for different groups of products must be developed based “on new or
existing life cycle assessment studies” 16. The EU Ecolabel is however only a
voluntary mark that helps to identify and promote products and services that
have a reduced environmental impact through their life cycle.
It is the Ecodesign Directive that has the most significant importance for using
the LCA. As a framework directive it specifies the rules for establishing
environmental criteria for specific product groups. Any item from these groups
that is to be placed on the EU market must meet them. The Ecodesign Directive
15 Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme, published in Official Journal L 099, 11 April 1992.
16 Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 25 November 2009, on the EU Ecolabel, , published in Official Journal L 27, 30 January 2010, p. 9.
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defines the life cycle as “the consecutive and interlinked stages of a product from
raw material use to final disposal”17 and requires manufacturers to carry out the
assessment of their products throughout its lifecycle, and on this basis
establishing the product's ecological profile. It also identifies the product life
cycle phases 1) The selection and use of raw materials, 2) manufacturing, 3)
packaging, transport and distribution, 4) installation and maintenance, 5) use,
and 6) end-of-life (meaning the achievement of a product at the end of its first
use) and the aspects that must be assessed and evaluated for each phase18. CE
mark (Conformité Européenne) is a mandatory marking by which manufacturer
declares that the product is compliant with relevant ecodesign measures.
The uptake of life cycle thinking in environmental policies in the EU offers great
possibilities of the use of LCA technique. Its holistic approach to the problem of
environmental impact assessment and quantification of the potential impact
makes it an ideal tool not only in ecodesign processes and EU Ecolabel criteria
development, but also in the evaluation of ecological characteristics of products
in the Green Public Procurement instrument.
In parallel to the Commission’s work on the Ecodesign Directives and EU
Ecolabel is growing awareness of design as a driver of innovation policy through
the ‘Action Plan for Design-driven Innovation’, launched in 2013. The European
Commission’s action plan aims to accelerate the up-take of design in innovation
policies at national, regional and local levels across Europe. The Design Action
Plan states that:
17 Directive 2009/125/EC, p. 15.
18 Directive 2009/125/EC, p. 23.
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‘A more systematic use of design as a tool for user-centred and
market-driven innovation in all sectors of the economy,
complementary to R&D, would improve European competitiveness.’19
The Design Action Plan adopts a broad definition of design as an approach to
problem-solving in both the private and public sectors. Nevertheless, the Design
Action Plan does not specifically mention ecodesign. The disconnect between
the Ecodesign Directive and Action Plan for Design-driven Innovation represents
a fragmentation at EU level, which can also be traced across national and
regional governments. For example, waste strategy and the environment is
usually a separate government ministry or department from the ministry or
department for economy and innovation. As a result, the ecodesign and design
for innovation agendas are very separate even though they are ultimately trying
to achieve the same objective: competiveness in Europe through improved
products, services and systems responding to user needs and synthesising
economic, social and environmental sustainability. Design is increasingly being
recognised by governments across Europe as a factor for innovation in small to
medium-sized enterprises, the public sector and society. In 2014, 15 of the 28
European Member States had design included in national innovation policy and
explicit design strategies were in operation in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France
and Latvia20.
Furthermore, in 2011, the Commission produced an ‘Eco-innovation Action Plan’
focused on ‘boosting innovation that results in or aims at reducing pressures on
19 European Commission (2013) ‘Implementing an Action Plan for Design-Driven Innovation’ Staff Working Document SWD(2013)380, Brussels, 23.09.13, p.4. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/files/design/design-swd-2013-380_en.pdf
20 Whicher, A. (2014) ‘Design Policy Monitor 2014: Reviewing Innovation and Design Policies across Europe’, SEE bulletin 11, June 2014, PDR, Cardiff Metropolitan University, p.3. www.seeplatform.eu/publications
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the environment and on bridging the gap between innovation and the market’21.
However, again, ecodesign is only mentioned in passing in the Eco-innovation
Action Plan with the ambition to ‘promote ecodesign for implementing end of
life initiatives’22. This further highlights the disconnect between the ecodesign,
design, eco-innovation and design-driven innovation agendas within the
European Commission. An integrated policy agenda between ecodesign, design,
eco-innovation and design-driven innovation would be a more effective
approach to achieving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe. The
European Commission are making efforts to be ecodesign and design aware, but
the route to effective European ecodesign and design capabilities is not clear,
which is understandable as the ecodesign and design stakeholders in Europe are
not communicating a coherent message. Efforts for a unified guideline for
ecodesign have been initiated by a non-funded collaboration of ecodesign
experts called ENEC (European Network of Ecodesign Centres) though its
achievements are still in their infancy.
21 European Commission (2011) ‘Innovation for a sustainable Future - The Eco-innovation Action Plan (Eco-AP)’, COM(2011)899, Brussels, 15.12.2011, p.2.
22 European Commission (2011) ‘Innovation for a sustainable Future - The Eco-innovation Action Plan (Eco-AP)’, COM(2011)899, Brussels, 15.12.2011, p.8.
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9 Method
To identify policy opportunities for the LCA to go tool as well as LCA more
generally, the Ecodesign Centre at PDR in Cardiff Metropolitan University
facilitated an Ecodesign Policy Workshop. The workshop used design methods
to engage a range of stakeholders – LCA to go project partners, academics,
European Commission officials, regional government representatives as well as
SMEs who had used the tool – in jointly developing policy proposals. The
workshop used hands-on tools to engage the participants in active discussion.
The workshop focused on two exercises: 1) examining the strengths and
weaknesses of the LCA to go tool 2) brainstorming policy proposals to capitalise
on the strengths and tackle the gaps. The ‘LCA to go Policy Workshop’ held on
5th December 2014, involved 15 participants including Commission
representatives from the Ecodesign Directive, EcoLabel and Business Greening,
the director of MicroPro - the first SME to win an EU EcoLabel for electronics, the
director of Futech and PhD placement student at Metech Recycling– two LCA to
go test companies, OVAM - the Public Waste Agency in Flanders among others.
Figure 8: [Workshop image] Participants examining the strengths and weaknesses of the LCA To
Go tool, Brussels, 05.12.14
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9.1 Examining the strengths and the weaknesses
The workshops adopted a systemic approach to examining the strengths and
weaknesses of the LCA to go tool and LCA in Europe more generally. Taking a
systemic approach involved examining all aspect of the supply and demand
sides of the tool and LCA including: 1) Users, 2) Support Programmes, 3)
Promotion Initiatives, 4) Actors, 5) Policy and Government, 6) Funding, 7)
Research and Knowledge Exchange, 8) Education and 9) the Professional Design
Sector. An effective policy should consider all components. Using a large poster
of the ‘Ecodesign System’, we examined a minimum of one strength and one
weakness for each component of the system. The participants were divided into
small groups of five including at least one Commission official and one SME
trained in the LCA to go tool in each group. By performing a basic analysis of
the strengths and weaknesses, policy-makers and stakeholders can identify
insufficient interaction between components of the system. Based on the
analysis, policy-makers can jointly develop policy actions with stakeholders to
ensure joint ownership and responsibility for implementation.
9.2 Jointly developing Policy Proposals
Based on the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses, the workshop
participants then jointly developed policy proposals. As we had representatives
from the European Commission, regional government, SMEs, academia and third
sector organisations, the proposals synthesised the perspective of these different
stakeholders meaning that the proposals were tangible and realistic. This co-
development process engaged delegates in a constructive and inclusive debate
and resulted in a consolidated list of policy proposals. To capture the data from
the workshop, the posters were photographed, transcribed and processed using
content analysis.
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The workshop was an exploratory investigation of the barriers and policy
opportunities for LCA to go and Ecodesign in Europe. Many of the policy
proposals require a coordinated approach not only between different units of
the European Commission but also across multi-levels of governance ; inevitably
implementation of these proposals is therefore a challenge. Nevertheless, the
object of the exercise was to jointly develop proposals to tackle the gaps in the
system and capitalise on the strengths rather than to develop an implementation
plan. The workshop has raised some exciting opportunities for future work.
9.3 Strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool
The LCA to go Policy Workshop held on 5th December 2014, involved 15
participants including representatives from the European Commission, regional
governments, SMEs, academics and LCA to go project partners. The workshop
involved two hands-on exercises: 1) examining the strengths and weaknesses of
the LCA to go tool 2) brainstorming policy proposals to capitalise on the
strengths and tackle the gaps. The workshop adopted a systemic approach to
examining the strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool including: 1)
Users, 2) Support Programmes, 3) Promotion Initiatives, 4) Actors, 5) Policy and
Government, 6) Funding, 7) Research and Knowledge Exchange, 8) Education
and 9) the Professional Design Sector. This section provides an overview of the
strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool as well as the use of LCA in
Europe more generally.
9.3.1 Users
+ LCA to go is accessible and user-friendly for SMEs compared with
other LCA tools.
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+ The output from the tool in the form of infographics is easy for
SMEs to adopt key messages into their marketing and
communication strategies as a source of competitive advantage.
+ LCA to go is effective in supporting decision-making on
outsourcing production.
+ The tool requires limited ‘hand holding’ and therefore can be
adopted across Europe.
− LCA to go does not incorporate regional difference in terms of
overriding different transport options.
− LCA to go does not link to computer aided design programs.
− LCA to go is currently only developed for seven sectors.
− Low demand for and limited understanding of LCA among SMEs.
9.3.2 Support
+ LCA to go is open source.
+ 97 SMEs have been trained to use the tool.
− Many companies will still need to receive training in how to use the
tool
− Oversimplified data might lack depth for SMEs to get real insight.
− Management needs to be involved in on-site visits.
− LCA and ecodesign are not integrated into broader innovation
support programmes such as subsidy, mentoring and tax credit
schemes to promote their uptake in European SMEs.
9.3.3 Promotion
+ Clusters, trade associations and universities are willing to promote
LCA to go.
+ LCA to go is promoted through industry conferences and events.
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− SMEs sometimes question the value added of the tool to
communicate to customers.
− LCA to go presupposes knowledge of LCA in SMEs so in effect you
are ‘preaching to the converted’ rather than breaking into new
audiences.
− After the project’s closing, the LCA to go tool will not be promoted
and depending on exploitation plans, may not have a host site.
9.3.4 Actors
+ LCA to go partnerships involves good geographical coverage in the
EU and involves many networks.
+ Potential to connect with pan-European sector federations and
design networks.
− Challenge to maintain interest and participation when the project
ends.
− Lack of champions within the professional design sector.
9.3.5 Research and knowledge exchange
+ Accumulated knowledge exchange between academia and
industry and meaning that the tool is fit for purpose.
+ Easy to share data and establish a benchmark with other
companies.
− Lack of good quality data especially for some factors.
− There are many tools for LCA and a more robust comparison with
other tools is required.
− Further research is required to establish whether carbon
footprinting is the appropriate dominant LCA assessment for all
sectors.
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9.3.6 Education
+ Opportunities to embed LCA accreditation in SMEs through more
university modules such as the one in University College Dublin.
-‐ Ecodesign is not a mandatory part of secondary education
curriculums or tertiary industrial design courses.
-‐ Lack of connection between business and ecodesign courses in
higher education.
9.3.7 Professional design sector
+ Accredited LCA as continuous professional development for
designers.
+ Quantifies impact to demonstrate to clients.
-‐ Low awareness of ecodesign and LCA among professional design
sector in Europe.
-‐ Currently low take up of ecodesign and LCA accreditation among
professional designers.
9.3.8 Policy and governance
+ Ecodesign and LCA are increasingly connected to the innovation
policy agenda across Europe for smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth.
+ Increasing number of ecodesign and design-related policies at EU
level including Ecodesign Directive, Eco-Innovation Action Plan and
Design-driven Innovation Action Plan.
+ Opportunity to connect LCA to go directly with the EU EcoLabel.
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-‐ Low awareness of ecodesign and LCA in the Commission units
dealing with eco-innovation and design-driven innovation.
9.3.9 Funding
+ Opportunity to connect ecodesign and LCA to the mainstream
business support and financing agenda across Europe.
-‐ More tangible results required to justify further funding but impact
can be over year later given the new product development process.
-‐ SMEs cannot access innovation funding for ecodesign and LCA.
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10 Policy Proposals
Based on the overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the LCA to go tool, as
well as the challenges for enhancing the uptake of ecodesign and LCA by SMEs
more generally across Europe, the workshop participants then jointly developed
policy proposals. Again, this exercise took a systemic approach to developing
policy actions to tackle all components of the ‘Ecodesign System’ to stimulate
both supply and demand. By involving policy-makers, academic and industry
representatives the policy proposals were able to synthesis the perspectives of
these different stakeholders. Some of the policy proposals are longer-term
actions that will require additional input or support by the European
Commission; by outlining these proposals, there could be future opportunities
for the LCA to go tool.
10.1.1 Users
a. Develop an iPad app to make LCA to go more accessible to SMEs.
b. Enable SMEs to benchmark themselves against sector leaders by
opening access to the LCA to go database.
c. Conduct research into the use of ecodesign and LCA among
European SMEs to conduct a needs analysis.
10.1.2 Support
d. Create a business case for LCA to go to promote to EU, national
and regional government.
e. Integrate ecodesign and LCA as eligible costs for SMEs applying for
innovation vouchers and business support subsidies.
f. Train government innovation specialists and business advisors in
ecodesign to raise awareness among SMEs.
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g. Support SMEs to achieve European Eco-label through more
mentoring programs.
h. Create financial incentives, VAT or import tax advantages for
products improved through LCA.
10.1.3 Promotion
i. Conduct a stakeholder mapping of sector federations, trade
associations, clusters, membership bodies and networks relating to
ecodesign, design, innovation and business to develop a more
strategic engagement and promotion strategy.
j. Integrate Ecodesign as a category in European innovation award
schemes.
k. Create “Ecodesigned in Europe” label
l. Develop a social media campaign to reach innovative start-ups.
m. Identify business leaders who can be champions of LCA to go.
n. Instead of ‘Black Friday’ create a ‘Green Friday’ initiative where
ecodesign products are discounted.
10.1.4 Actors
o. Secure backing from an industry association in each country and
each sector (for example, IEEE - Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Chambers of Commerce, CECIMO - Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as well as other relevant
stakeholders such as Blue Competence, Nordic Swan).
p. Engage with Intellectual Property Office to enhance understanding
of the added value of LCA to new product development.
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10.1.5 Research and Knowledge Exchange
q. Align LCA To Go with the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)
exercise.
r. Revisit the 100 SMEs who received LCA To Go training to assess
cost benefit analysis and impact after one year.
s. Submit impact case studies from successful LCA to go SMEs to EU
innovation and design awards.
t. Engage with knowledge transfer networks.
u. Conduct further research to compare LCA to go to other LCA tools.
v. Use the LCA to go project as a case study to simulate debate
among academics on whether carbon footprinting is the
appropriate assessment for LCA.
w. Produce peer reviewed journal papers on LCA to go to promote the
tool to ecodesign and eco-innovation academic audiences.
x. Explore the possibility of a localised franchising approach to LCA to
go.
y. Develop a benchmarking standard to enable SMEs to compare
themselves with sector leaders.
10.1.6 Education
z. Identify prominent design and business universities to introduce
LCA to go within the curriculum.
aa. Promote LCA as a way of thinking for primary and secondary
schools.
bb. Develop tailored and interactive courses run by company
representatives.
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10.1.7 Professional Design Sector
cc. Raise awareness of LCA among design centres and associations
that provide continuous professional development to designers.
dd. Provide accredited courses on LCA for SMEs, environmental
advisors and designers (ISO 14001:2004 and SMEs) to create a pool
and database of certified practitioners.
ee. Facilitate matchmaking opportunities between designers and SMEs.
10.1.8 Policy, Governance and Regulation
ff. Conduct a mapping exercise of all European Commission policy
related to ecodesign, design, eco-innovation, design-driven
innovation and the environment to engage a representative from
each group and establish an Interservice Group to ensure coherent
policy development and implementation.
gg. Engage with the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) Platform to
connect ecodesign and LCA to regional economic development
polices.
hh. Promote the LCA to go tool in the evaluation guidance for Eco-
label.
ii. Awareness raising in public procurement teams to ultimately
integrate LCA into procurement guidelines.
10.1.9 Funding
jj. Raise awareness of ecodesign and LCA among teams evaluating
Horizon 2020 applications.
kk. Map funding mechanisms in different Member States to identify
opportunities where Ecodesign and LCA can be integrated into
existing funding programs.
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11 Conclusion
Lifecycle assessments (LCA) are considered an advanced tool for improving the
environmental performance of products, but are often considered complicated
and costly, with technical know-how a pre-requisite for their execution.
However, as stated by Michael-John Bennett at the European Commission:
"LCA to go has enabled SMEs to take advantage of a responsive
design-friendly tool to improve both their competitiveness and their
environmental footprint. LCA to Go has proved that such
streamlined approaches are feasible for SMEs, and should be further
rolled out across the EU, to help Europe's smaller firms to grow their
businesses in a "smart and clean" way that is sustainable in every
sense of the word.”
Through the project, 99 SMEs have been trained. LCA to go strikes a balance
between a user-friendly process and simplified data. As such, the partnership
considers that the objectives to 1) boost use of LCA in SMEs; 2) develop
simplified operative methods and tools; 3) develop sector-specific ecodesign and
LCA approaches; and 4) develop an online, open source toolbox, have been met.
Case studies such as Solar Sense (UK), RPC Envases (Spain) and MicroPro
Computers demonstrate that the tools are fit for purpose, user-friendly and
viable. Some of the strengths of LCA to go include the user-friendliness
compared with other tools as well as the outputs in the form of infographics that
are easy for SMEs to adopt key messages into their marketing and
communication strategies. The tools presuppose a minimum level of LCA
awareness and therefore do not require significant ‘hand-holding’.
Opportunities to further refine the tools include, being able to override the
system to allow for regional variations, linking to computer aided design
programmes, sharing data to enable benchmarking between companies and
increasing the number of sectors.
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Nevertheless, the challenges of embedding LCA and ecodesign in SMEs across
Europe remain significant. Using hands-on, design-led methods involving policy-
makers, SMEs, academics and third sector organisations, we have developed
some policy proposals targeted at the ecodesign sector, regional and national
governments as well as the European Commission. For the LCA to go partners
and other ecodesign sector stakeholders, there is work to break into new
audiences that have never used LCA and ecodesign rather than ‘preaching to the
converted’. Proposals included conducting a stakeholder mapping of sector
federations, trade associations, clusters, membership bodies and networks
relating to ecodesign, design, innovation and business to identify business
leaders who can be champions of LCA to go and secure backing. It was further
recommended to develop a benchmarking standard to enable SMEs to compare
themselves with market leaders by opening access to the LCA to go database.
There is also a necessity to connect more broadly with the professional design
sector in Europe and raise awareness of LCA to go among design centres and
associations that provide continuous professional development to designers.
This could also be achieved through identifying prominent design and business
universities to introduce LCA to go within the curriculum like the current
accreditation offered through University College Dublin. Currently, there is a lack
of connection between business and ecodesign in higher education. There are a
number of opportunities for future work including further research to compare
LCA to go against other LCA tools, to establish whether carbon footprinting is
the appropriate assessment as well as conducting a needs analysis of the use of
ecodesign and LCA among European SMEs.
A number of proposals were also targeted at national and regional governments.
LCA and ecodesign are not integrated into broader innovation support
programmes such as subsidy, mentoring and tax credit schemes to promote
their up-take in European SMEs. Governments looking to promote ecodesign
and LCA should integrate them as eligible costs for SMEs applying for innovation
vouchers and business support subsidies. Connecting ecodesign and LCA to the
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mainstream business support and financing agenda across Europe could also be
linked to more systematic training of government innovation specialists and
business advisors in ecodesign to raise awareness among SMEs.
The European Commission also has a role to play in stimulating demand for
ecodesign and LCA among SMEs. There are an increasing number of ecodesign
and design-related policies at EU level including Ecodesign Directive, Eco-
Innovation Action Plan and Design-driven Innovation Action Plan. However,
many of these policies appear to be completely disconnected to complementary
policy agendas. To ensure that the European Commission has a joined up
approach to innovation, a mapping exercise should be conducted of all
European Commission policies relating to ecodesign, design, eco-innovation,
design-driven innovation and the environment to engage a representative from
each group and establish an Interservice Group to ensure coherent policy
development and implementation. The Commission could also engage with the
Smart Specialisation Strategy Platform (S3) to connect ecodesign and LCA to
regional economic development polices. There is also a significant opportunity
to connect LCA to go, an initiative financed by the Commission with other
Commission initiatives such as the European EcoLabel and Product
Environmental Footprint (PEF) exercise. For example, LCA to go could be
promoted in the evaluation guidance for the European Eco-label. Advocacy is of
paramount importance. The Commission should recognise the value of raising
awareness of ecodesign and LCA among teams evaluating Horizon 2020
applications, European Patents Office and EU public procurement guidelines. Of
course, many of these policy proposals are longer-term ambitions but small
steps in the short-term will ensure they are realised sooner. In sum, ecodesign
and LCA are increasingly connected to the innovation policy agenda across
Europe for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
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12 References
1. FP7 is the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/understanding/fp7inbrief/what-is_en.html
2. Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p53-54 www.lca2go.eu
3. Muller, P. et al (2014) ‘A Partial and Fragile Recovery’ European Commission Annual Report on European SMEs 2013/2014, page 6
4. European Commission, Enterprise and Industry Publications (2003/5) ‘The new SME definition, user guide and model declaration’, page 14
5. O’Rafferty, S. (2012) ‘Detailed Policy Recommendation Report and Briefings’ page 17-19 www.lca2go.eu
6. Harlow, R. (2014) ‘Intersectoral Synergies’ (figure 2) page 25 www.lca2go.eu
7. Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p. 51 www.lca2go.eu
8. Hesselman, S (2014) ‘Analysing the Impact of LCA to go, a Sector Specific Life Cycle Assessment Tool’ p47-51 www.lca2go.eu
9. Valade-Amland S. (2011) Design for People, Profit, and Planet, Design Management Review, 22(1), p. 22
10. Shishke, K. Iameco Computers (2013) Electronics Case Study, LCA to go: http://www.lca2go.eu/files/case-studies/CaseStudyE_IamecoByMicroPro.pdf
11. McBride M. (2011) Triple Bottom Line by Design: Leading as if Life Matters, Design Management Review, 22(1), p.12.
12. Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 6 July 2005, establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products and amending Council Directive
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92/42/EEC and Directives 96/57/EC and 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, published in Official Journal L191, 22 July 2005.
13. Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 21 October 2009, establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy using and energy related products, published in Official Journal L285, 31 October 2009.
14. Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme, published in Official Journal L 099, 11 April 1992.
15. Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 25 November 2009, on the EU Ecolabel, , published in Official Journal L 27, 30 January 2010, p. 9.
16. Directive 2009/125/EC, p. 15.
17. Directive 2009/125/EC, p. 23.
18. European Commission (2013) ‘Implementing an Action Plan for Design-Driven Innovation’ Staff Working Document SWD(2013)380, Brussels, 23.09.13, p.4. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/files/design/design-swd-2013-380_en.pdf
19. Whicher, A. (2014) ‘Design Policy Monitor 2014: Reviewing Innovation and Design Policies across Europe’, SEE bulletin 11, June 2014, PDR, Cardiff Metropolitan University, p.3. www.seeplatform.eu/publications
20. European Commission (2011) ‘Innovation for a sustainable Future - The Eco-innovation Action Plan (Eco-AP)’, COM(2011)899, Brussels, 15.12.2011, p.2.
21. European Commission (2011) ‘Innovation for a sustainable Future - The Eco-innovation Action Plan (Eco-AP)’, COM(2011)899, Brussels, 15.12.2011, p.8.
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13 Authors and Contributors
Authors and Contributors
Name Institution Function Sector
D. Lyons Ecodesign Centre Lead Author General
A. Whicher PDR Lead Author General
P. Swiatek PDR Co-Author General