Digital Eco-Innovation as a Means to Reach a Circular Economy in Europe

Digitalisation is taking place at a fast pace in all European countries and it is transforming the economies, societies, communication, jobs and the necessary skills for the workplace and everyday life. The Covid-19 pandemic is also accelerating digitalisation at many levels.

To address the great challenges resulting from this, the European Commission has launched the Green Deal, a long-term transformation strategy towards an innovative and sustainable society. Three important initiatives under the Green Deal are the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. The various strategies and action plans draw up a large portfolio of measures, instruments and milestones that are always linked to digital technologies. Ideally, these are eco-innovative and sustainable and contribute to improving living conditions in Europe.

The EIO Biennial Report 2020, which looks at a different topic every two years, considers digitalisation a major opportunity to accelerate the transition to a circular Europe. In the current report, the authors, including Bettina Bahn-Walkowiak, Chiara Magrini, Dr. Holger Berg, Burcu Gözet, Dr. Meghan Beck-O'Brien as well as Tahere Arjomandi from the Wuppertal Institute, provide an overview of eco-innovation trends, illustrated by digital technology and policy practices that can further drive the circular economy.

The EIO Biennal Report 2020 is available free of charge via the link below.