International projects
Promotion and implementation of ETV as an EU voluntary scheme for verifying performance of environmental technologies
Researchers (4)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
According to the European Environment Agency, the overall environmental performance of EU industry has improved over recent decades however it still remains responsible for a significant burden on environment in terms of emissions of key air pollutants and greenhouse gases, release of pollutants to water and soil, generation of waste, the use of energy, consumption of resources etc. Increased environmental awareness of business, obligations to comply with the environmental acquis and the current EU and national policies context have led to an increase in the supply and demand of new environmental technologies.
These technologies provide a much higher potential in reducing the environmental impact of industries. They demonstrate a beyond average environmental performance compared to conventional technologies by providing new technical solutions improving resource and energy efficiency, reducing emissions and minimizing pollution and waste generation often in a better and more cost effective way than their currently used alternatives. Despite these benefits offered by ecoinnovations, technology users, in particular public sector or large industries remain averse to trying new concepts being unsure if what they are offered can be trusted. The main reason is lack of credible information on the performance and impacts of new environmental technologies. In makes their penetration to the market low, posing a serious barrier to technology providers due to lack of a common level playing field for the environmental technologies market.
In recognition to this problem, the European Commission launched an EU ETV Pilot programme as a voluntary environmental scheme (VES) in 2011 with the participation of 7 EU Member States and 3 technology areas. ISO14034 based EU ETV scheme will provide everyone from developers to buyers, investors and authorities a consistent approach to the independent verification of performance and impacts of new technologies. Environmental initiatives which include independent verification have a high chance of success as they build in credibility and technology user confidence that the environmental claims are actually being delivered. This is particularly important if industry intends to obtain a financial benefit from its environmental activities, even if this is not their primary motivation.
Therefore strong market recognition and acceptance of ETV will: 1) build trust in innovative environmental technologies, 2) help industries deploy them to reduce their environmental burden,3)contribute to the implementation of the EU environmental policies related reducing the environmental impact of industries, implementing circular economy and strengthening the market share of green technologies,4) boost the EU market of environmental technologies,5) enhance the competitiveness of EU economy as called in 7th Environmental Action Programme, Circular Economy Package, EC Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, Green Action Plan for SMEs. In addition the project will also contribute to the climate neutrality objective of the Green Deal for Europe.
