Abstract
Measuring eco-innovation helps us understand the overall trends and raises awareness in society. Measuring eco-innovation at the national level and making comparisons across countries may allow us to benchmark performance and foster policy learning. This paper assesses two indices developed in two different regions: The ASEM Eco-Innovation Index (ASEI) by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center, based in Republic of Korea; and the Eco-Innovation Scoreboard (Eco-IS) developed by the Eco-Innovation Observatory, based in the European Union. This paper aims to examine and compare the features of both and attempts to obtain insights on their strengths and weaknesses. Towards this aim, our paper assesses those scoreboards against four criteria stemming from innovation analysis: (1) relevance of areas and stakeholders covered; (2) ability to indicate changes; (3) directions towards common goals; and (4) ability to facilitate further changes. We conclude both are promising, despite data shortages, and have great potential to contribute towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly with regard to the SDGs on sustainable industrialization and sustainable consumption and production. In comparison, the ASEI covers more countries than the Eco-IS. However, the ASEI has limitations on measuring indicators due to limited data availability in Asian countries. The Eco-IS is closely linked with the regional and national policies for eco-innovation in Europe, while the ASEI’s impact appears more limited, as of now. In conclusion, the research results give insights into key areas, goals and applications of eco-innovation indices, and can help upgrading eco-innovation indices. This research helps interpret the scores of two indices better and facilitate application of the scores in the multiple ways. It is expected that this research contributes to developing and modifying a global eco-innovation index and enhancing the ability of these indices to facilitate eco-innovation strategies at national levels and across relevant actors.
Highlights
The concept of eco-innovation has emerged as a global approach for fostering sustainable development for all societies
It informs the national state related to eco-innovation in 51 ASEM member countries, covering both Europe and Asia
The components cover a complex process of eco-innovation, including input, output and impact of eco-innovation
Summary
The concept of eco-innovation has emerged as a global approach for fostering sustainable development for all societies. Emphasizing eco-innovation as a means for achieving sustainable development requires information on the performance of main actors, in particular, countries. Such a macro-level scope is in line with research on national innovation systems, outlined below. Policy and innovation actors can learn about diagnosing different areas of eco-innovation, monitoring trends and directions, and drawing lessons about the strengths and weaknesses across countries. Such attempts go beyond measuring and facilitate communication on eco-innovation for public and private actors alike
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