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EIO Country Profile

2013

Eco-innovation in France

Eco-innovation in France 1

Eco-Innovation Observatory

The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation information, gathered from across the European Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-needed integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service providers, as well as providing a solid decision-making basis for policy development.

The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in all economic sectors and therefore relevant for all types of innovation, defining eco-innovation as:

“Eco-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle”.

To find out more, visit www.eco-innovation.eu

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission.


Eco-Innovation Observatory Country Profile 2013: France

Author: Dr Georgios Papanagnou

Coordinator of the work package: Technopolis Group Belgium


Acknowledgments

The document has been prepared with the kind support of:

Michel Franz, Head of Eco-technologies and Competitiveness office, Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEDDE)

Jean-Marc Merillot, Eco-innovation coordinator at the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME).

A note to Readers

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union. A number of companies are presented as illustrative examples of eco-innovation in this report. The EIO does not endorse these companies and is not an exhaustive source of information on innovation at the company level.

This brief is available for downloaded from www.eco-innovation.eu/countries

Comments on this brief are welcomed and can be provided at www.eco-innovation.eu/france


Table&of&contents&

Summary ...............................................................................................................................................5!

1! | Introduction ...................................................................................................................................6!

2! | Eco-innovation performance .......................................................................................................7!

3! | Selected eco-innovation areas and new trends.......................................................................10!

4! | Eco-innovation barriers and drivers in France ........................................................................11!

5! | Eco-innovation policy landscape ..............................................................................................12!

6! | Good practice examples.............................................................................................................13!

References ...........................................................................................................................................16!


Summary

France is one of the EU-28 eco-innovation leaders as illustrated in the overall 2013 Eco-Innovation Scoreboard. With an EU-28 average of 100, the country scores 108 and is eighth overall in the ranking of eco-innovative countries.

In 2011 the production of eco-activities reached EUR 79.3 billion. Growth in the eco-activities' production was stronger (+7.5%) than the total of economic activity (+4.2%). Furthermore, around 455.600 people were employed full-time in the green economy, while exports related to eco-activities exhibited a surplus of approximately EUR 1.9 billion (in 2011).

The most important eco-innovation areas in France are to be found in the more mature eco-industries. In particular, France has developed a strong international position in water management and sanitation, waste management and environmental engineering.

A good number of industries with significant eco-innovation input have recently shown signs of noteworthy growth. This is the case for solar industries; the industry of low carbon and electric vehicles; the sector of low impact buildings; energy storage (especially pump storage systems) and smart grids.

The French state has strongly supported eco-industries through an ensemble of regulations, special tariffs and fiscal incentives that have played a key role in the expansion of the different green sectors. The country also benefits from a mature R&D system characterised by high-impact publications, good levels of public and business R&D expenditure, and large numbers of qualified experts. France has leading international firms in fields such as water and waste treatment, transportation, energy and construction. Many of these firms have produced innovative solutions for urgent environmental issues, which are used internationally. Indeed the private sector is the major motor behind France's strong performance in environmental protection R&D. In 2011 the private sector accounted for about 70% of the national expenditures on environmental R&D, whereas in 2000 its contribution was around 38%.


1 | Introduction

France has a strong track record in environmental protection. The Environmental Protection Index (EPI 2014) ranks the country amongst its strongest performers and 27th globally. France's record boasts a combination of governmental policies and regulations, technological innovations and the significant growth of eco-industries. In 2011 total expenditure for environmental protection reached EUR 46 billion, exhibiting an increase of 3.2% in relation to 2010. (CGDD, 2013a; CGDD, 2013b). France has managed to reduce GHG emissions from approximately 520.000 Gb CO2 in 1990 to 420.000 Gb C02 in 2011. (UN Climate Change Secretariat, 2011). At the same time progress has been made in waste management and the reduction of surface freshwater pollution.

Nonetheless, the need to further reduce GHG emissions remains a major challenge, mainly in the areas of household, building and transport emissions. Other areas of concern also include the degradation of underground and coastal waters and land pollution. With regard to the latter contamination is mostly an outcome of road traffic and agricultural intensity. The quality of biodiversity is also not at optimal levels. Protected surfaces did indeed increase in number in the last 15 years but the quality of conservation in many cases was not high (CGDD, 2010). Moreover, trawling intensity and the overexploitation of fish stocks remain problematic (EPI, 2014). Population growth and the expansion of artificial surfaces - especially in littoral zones - also negatively impact on biodiversity. Finally, France is characterised by low levels of renewable energies use and a high share of nuclear energy in electricity generation (36% vs 1% for carbon) – which however has contributed to the reduction in GHG emissions.

France, together with Germany, is a European leader in environmental economic activities and eco-industries. (Belin et al. 2011). In 2011 the production of eco-activities reached EUR 79.3 billion. Growth in the eco-activities' production was stronger (+7.5%) than the total of economic activity (+4.2%). Furthermore, around 455.600 people were employed full-time in the green economy, while exports related to eco-activities exhibited a surplus of approximately EUR 1.9 billion (in 2011). (CGDD, 2013a; CGDD, 2013d).

This is to some extent an outcome of France's solid performance in R&D. (Innovation Union, 2013). In the last decade R&D intensity in France remained in the range of 2.07-2.21% of GDP, about 16% above the EU-27 average. The country however needs to make greater efforts in terms of investment if it is to maintain its competitiveness. (Innovation Union, 2011). The country's R&D intensity gap lies primarily in the business sector with French BERD in 2009 reaching 1.37% of GDP.

Nonetheless, the private sector is the major motor behind France's strong performance in environmental protection R&D. In 2011 national expenditure for environmental R&D grew by 11% with regard to 2010 (in total EUR 4.2 billion). Since 2000 environmental R&D expenditure has grown faster than general R&D mostly as an outcome of expenditures by enterprises. In 2011 the private sector accounted for about 70% of the national expenditures on environmental R&D, whereas in 2000 its contribution was around 38%. The regulatory framework set up by French governments together with established clusters of competitiveness seem to be the primary instigators of the performance of the private sector. (CGDD, 2013a; CGDD, 2013c).


2 | Eco-innovation performance

The analysis in this section is based on the EU 28 Eco-innovation scoreboard (Eco-IS) for the year 2013. Eco-IS via its composite Eco-innovation index demonstrates the eco-innovation performance of a country compared with the EU average and with the EU top performers. Eco-IS is based on 16 indicators, which are aggregated into five components: eco-innovation inputs, eco-innovation activities and eco-innovation outputs as well as environmental outcomes and socio-economic outcomes

Figure 2.1 EU28 Eco-innovation scoreboard 2013, composite index

Source: EIO, 2013

France is one of the EU-28 eco-innovation leaders as illustrated in the overall 2013 Eco-IS (Figure 2.1). With an EU-28 average of 100, the country scores 108 and is eight overall in the ranking of eco-innovative countries. Compared with the 2012 Eco-IS there has been an increase in France's overall score – from 96 in 2012.

Figure 2.2 below shows the performance of France in each of the five components of the Eco-IS composite index. France exceeds the EU average in eco-innovation inputs, socio-economic outcomes and resource efficiency outcomes. It performs below the EU-28 average in eco-innovation activities and eco-innovation outputs.

Eco-innovation input

The eco-innovation input index is based on the national indicators of the government’s environmental and energy R&D appropriations and outlays, R&D personnel, and cleantech investment. In this component France performs well above the EU-28 average (score 141) surpassed only by Luxemburg, Denmark, the UK, Sweden and Finland.


More precisely, R&D personnel and researchers employed in France in 2012 were 1.56% of all employed. As mentioned earlier France has maintained an overall good performance in R&D in the last decade with intensity remaining about 16% above the EU-27 average. Additionally, with the launching of the programme Investissements d'Avenir (Investments for the future) in 2010 the government aimed (among other targets) to sustain and promote its efforts in research, development and innovation with particular reference to eco-innovation and the circular economy.

The present government gave high priority to investing in research and development in the areas of energy, including renewables, and environment. (MEDDE, 2013). In 2012 total government environmental and energy R&D appropriations and outlays amounted to 0.067% of GDP with an EU average of 0.043. France was only surpassed by Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Meanwhile, France performed well in terms of green early stage investment (cleantech industries) reaching 16.99 $/per capita for the period 2010-2013 (EU average 12.30 $/per capita). France trailed Luxemburg, Belgium, Sweden, the UK, Ireland and Finland.

In 2013, France was a European leader in venture capital for cleantech. In the third trimester of 2013 a total of EUR 137.7 million was raised in innovation and development capital. (Club Cleantech, 2013). This was a considerable increase vis-a-vis the first and second trimesters of 2013 (approx. EUR 70 million for each). France occupied 30% of the European total in venture capital for cleantech in the second trimester of 2013, thus solidifying its position as leader in front of the UK and Germany. (Club Cleantech, 2013).

Figure 2.2 Components of the eco-innovation composite index for <country>, 2013

Source: EIO, 2013

Eco-innovation activities

The eco-innovation activities index of the Eco-IS is based on the statistics of ISO 14001 certified companies and of business innovation activities aimed at material efficiency and energy saving. France scores below the EU28 average (87 out of 100) in this index. According to Eco-IS the percentage of firms having implemented material efficiency innovations was 0.14 of all firms (EU average 0.13%). The percentage for energy saving was 14.14% of all firms (EU average 14.50%). Finally, the number of ISO 14001 certified organisations in France in 2012 was 7975 translating into 122.08 registered organisations per million of inhabitants.


Eco-innovation outputs

France performs below the EU-28 average in terms of eco-innovation outputs. It has a score of 71, which is less than half of the score of leader Denmark (184). The country however is a strong performer in eco-innovation related patents with 9.57 per million inhabitants (2010). It needs to be noted that absolute number of eco-patents registered in 2010 was 619, which placed the country only behind Germany (2352) and far above countries like the UK (201), Italy (248) or Sweden (157). In overall terms, the number of eco-patents registered in France has increased considerably over the last decade. According to a study published by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), in 2009 eco-patents (including the energy sector) represented 37% of the total number of registered patents. In addition the share of eco-patents in the total number of French patents has more than doubled between 2000 and 2009. (see EIO France Report, 2011).

The situation was somewhat similar in eco-innovation related scientific publications with France producing 372 in 2012 only coming behind Spain, Italy, the UK and Germany. This translates into 5.69 scientific publications per million inhabitants (2012).

Finally, in 2013 media interest for eco-innovation was very low (measured as the number of hits in all electronic media covered by "Meltwater News" with key-word "Eco-innovation" translated in all EU-27 languages). There were 183 hits counted in 2013 based on Meltwater’s screening of 11511 electronic media sources. Hence, France score was 22 (EU index 100).

Resource efficiency outcomes

The environmental outcome index is based on combined national statistics on domestic material productivity, domestic water productivity, inland energy productivity, and GHG emissions intensity. France is positioned above the EU28 average in the resource efficiency outcomes index. The country obtained an overall score of 110 (EU index 100), remaining stable from 2012.

Material productivity (GDP/DMC) reached 2.21 €/kg (2011) when the EU average was 1.74 Euro/kg. Water productivity, measured as GDP generated by domestic water consumption, was 12.46 €/m3 in the period 1996-2005, equal to 97% of the EU27 average. France's water footprint in the same year was approximately 106132 m3 per capita.

France performs above the EU average, with a score of 109 in energy productivity (GDP generated by domestic energy use). The country’s productivity reached 8.72 €/ton of oil equivalent (2011). Finally, GHG emissions intensity (amounts of GHG emissions generated per unit of GDP) was at 0.37 kg of CO2 equivalent/GDP in 2011, slightly above the EU-27 average for the same year (0.36 kgCO2e/€). Socio-economic outcomes

France is one European leader in terms of socio-economic outcomes, surpassed only by Germany and the UK. Eco-industry exports amounted to just EUR 2697 million in 2012 and were 0.61% of all exports (EU average of 0.59%). Employment in eco-industries stood at 1.20% of total employment across all companies (2012)'; making France the European leader together with Spain. Finally, the size of the eco-industry is significant, with revenue being 0.51% of total revenue across all companies (EU average 0.44%).


3 | Selected eco-innovation areas and new trends

The most important eco-innovation areas in France are to be found in the more mature eco-industries. In particular, France has developed a strong international position in water management and sanitation, waste management and environmental engineering. These industries – led primarily by international giants Veolia and Suez – have managed to respond well to the regulations and policies implemented by the French authorities in the last decades. Solidly implanted in the domestic market, the industry leaders have managed to carve out a strong international position for themselves and thus contribute to French exports. (CGDD, 2013c; COSEI, 2012; Boston Consulting Group, 2008).

A good number of industries with significant eco-innovation input have recently shown signs of noteworthy growth. This is the case for solar energy industries. Installed capacity has grown from 0.3GWc in 2009 to 2.8GWc in 2011, notably as an outcome of the supporting policies (feed-in tariff) and the decrease in the price of photovoltaic installations. (MRP, 2012). Similarly, the industry of low carbon and electric vehicles has also performed well and is an eco-industry that is on the ascendance. The number of hybrid vehicles registered in France in 2011 was 13,340 or 0.6% of all sales and the number of electric vehicles registered was 4531 or 0.2% of all sales in 2011. The arguably somewhat optimistic goal is for France to have 2,000,000 low carbon and electric cars in circulation (or 5% of all cars) by 2020. The sector is at the top of the French industrial policy and authorities have set in place supply and demand support mechanisms in order to stimulate its development e.g. financial bonus of 5,000 to 7,000 euros for an electric car and 2,000 to 4,000 euros for a hybrid one; the procurement of large numbers of low carbon and electric vehicles by the Poste and UGAP; and the expansion of the Autolib car-sharing initiative outside Paris. (Portail du Gouvernement, 2012)

The sector of low impact buildings has also shown significant growth in the last two years and has a potential for further expansion in light of the weight of the construction industry in the French economy. (COSEI, 2011a). A host of important industrial actors operate in this sector (Vinci, Bouygues, Saint Gobain) together with a great number of small and medium enterprises. The industry’s share in GDP is 8%, while its share in final energy consumption is 43% and its share of greenhouse gas emissions is 20%. The Law of ‘Grenelle 2’ (12 July 2010) foresees the renovation of the building park in the tertiary sector as well as the renovation of 400.000 private residences per year and the renovation of 800.000 social residences between 2013 and 2020. These interventions will contribute greatly to reducing France’s energy needs (the target is to reduce them by 38% until 2020). Equally, the construction of new buildings was affected by the introduction of the new Thermal Regulation (Réglementation Thermique 2012), which aims to limit the energy consumption of the built environment. (Najdawi, 2013).

Finally, according to recent data France exhibits great potential in developing its capacities in energy storage (especially pump storage systems) and smart grids. (CGDD, 2013c). Concerning pumped storage stations (STEP) France disposes some very important industrial actors like Alstom and its installed capacity is about 3% of total global capacity (2013). Relating to smart grids France benefits from competencies and its industrial know-how on electronics and electricity and has invested the newly founded (2014) Institute of Excellence on Non-carbon Energies (IEED) “Supergrid” (located in Villeurbanne) with a budget of EUR 72,6 million.


4 | Eco-innovation barriers and drivers in France

Eco-innovation drivers

France benefits from a substantial regulatory and policy framework that supports and promotes eco-industries and eco-innovation. Support instruments include regulations safeguarding environmental protection and working towards the reduction of the country’s energy needs; substantial investment programmes and tools (e.g. Investissements d’Avenir, BPI France, Institutes of Excellence in Non-Carbon Energies etc.); 71 innovation clusters (not exclusively dealing with environmental issues) in which companies, public-sector educational institutions and research laboratories work on collaborative projects focusing on market-oriented projects and prototypes. (MEDDE, 2013; MEDDE 2012; MEDDE, 2010).

The country has also put in place a mature R&D system characterised by high-impact publications, good levels of public and business R&D expenditure, and large numbers of qualified experts. France has leading international firms in fields such as water and waste treatment, transportation, energy and construction. Many of these firms have produced innovative solutions for urgent environmental issues, which are used internationally. (COSEI, 2011b; COSEI, 2011c; COSEI, 2011d)

Barriers to eco-innovation

On the other hand, in the present economic context the most important inhibiting factor are the financial problems created by the European debt crisis (Merillot, 2014). This is an issue that affects both public and private sources of finance. Moreover, as an outcome of the economic problems a good deal of funding goes to projects with a short-term horizon, thus failing to cater to long-term environmental concerns (Merillot, 2014).

At the same time, as mentioned already in the 2011 report, a further difficulty has to do with the complexity of the French innovation support system. It often happens that potential innovators are discouraged by the complexity of administrative requirements and lose opportunities because of a lack of knowledge or time. Unsurprisingly this mostly affects SMEs.

SMEs are also more vulnerable in terms of innovation as they do not possess the necessary human and financial capital in order to produce more cutting-edge activities and interventions. Simultaneously, they have trouble coming to terms with new technologies and processes e.g. in the construction sector craftsmen will have to be trained in new techniques (materials, tools, technologies etc.) if the sector is to contribute to meeting the country’s energy targets.

In parallel, France faces stiff international competition from both established eco-innovators like Germany, Japan or the USA but also increasingly from emerging economies like China. This applies also to sectors in which France has a leading international position (smart grids, non-carbon vehicles, water management and sanitation, waste recycling and valorisation etc.). (CGDD, 2013a).

Finally, the country's traditional heavy reliance on nuclear energy for electricity production equally acts as a deterrent to drastically developing innovations in the fields of alternative and renewable energy resources.


5 | Eco-innovation policy landscape

The French state has strongly supported eco-industries through an ensemble of regulations, special tariffs and fiscal incentives that have played a key role in the expansion of the different green sectors. For example, these measures include the bonus/malus system in the car market (cars are taxed or credited according to carbon emissions); the sustainable development tax credit (tax credits for energy related improvements in households); eco-loans with zero interest rates (for improving the energy efficiency of private residences); the government’s obligation to buy electricity produced by renewable sources; the General Tax on Polluting Activities (TGAP) which relates to waste management; the introduction (2012) of the Thermal Regulation in the area of low impact buildings etc. (Najdawi, 2013; Energy Efficiency Watch, 2013; MEDDE, 2011).

Concerning R&D support there is a good number of tools available: the Research Tax Credit (CIR), which applies to all kinds of R&D activities (not solely to environmental ones). The umbrella program Investissements d’Avenir (PIA) which is expected to invest EUR 6 billion (from 2010 to 2020) in green technologies. (MEDDE, 2013).

More recently, in the framework of PIA, a call for applications was made in 2012 by the General Direction of Competitiveness of Industry and the Services (DGCIS), BPI France and ADEME which targeted research projects with a high economic and environmental potential. The projects selected are to be commercially operationalized in a relatively short time frame (3 to five years). The call focuses mostly on the fields of waste and water management and metrology.

The PIA has equally supported the establishment of the following Institutes for Energy Transition (in two waves, 2011 and 2012): France Energies Marines (Bretagne) with a budget of 34,3 million Euros; Greenstars (Languedoc-Roussillon) pertaining to bio-algae research (23,8 million Euros); Institut français des matériaux agro-sourcés (Nord-Pas-de-Calais) in the field of green chemicals (30,8 million Euros); Institut photovoltaïque d’Ile-de-France (Ile-de-France) (18,1 million Euros); Supergrid (Rhône-Alpes); Geodenergies (Centre) in the area of carbon-free energy (15,9 million Euros); Institut véhicule décarboné et communicant et de sa mobilité (Védécom) in the field of carbon-free vehicles (Ile-de-France) (54,1 million Euros); Institut national pour le développement des écotechnologies et des énergies décarbonées (INDEED) in the field of eco-technologies and carbon-free energy (Lyon); Picardie innovations végétales, enseignements et recherches technologiques in the area of oilseed bio-massed based plant chemistry (PIVERT) (Oise).

Furthermore, the creation in 2012 of the Public Investment Bank (BPI France) is a continuation of the support to emerging companies and SMEs, and aims to contribute to achieving the objectives of energy and environmental transition.

Similarly, the National Fund for Seed Funding (Fonds National d’Amorçage) and other financial instruments for emerging businesses (e.g. the investment funds dedicated to eco-enterprises established by ADEME and the funds managed by CDC Enterprises) provide new opportunities for private sector financing (also in the area of eco-innovation).

Finally in 2013 the government announced 34 industrial plans, which conformed to France’s priorities in industrial policy. Among these were projects on renewable energies (tidal, off/on-shore wind, solar) and energy efficiency (smart grids, building renovation), the transport of tomorrow (cars consuming 2 l/100 km, electric charging stations, long life batteries, TGV future, ecological ships, electric planes), new materials (wood, recycling, green materials), green chemistry and biofuels.


6 | Good practice examples

Eqosphere

Eqosphere is a collaborative web platform that creates links between various stakeholders in the revalorisation of surplus products (food, equipment, textiles, electronics, paper, household items, hygienic appliances etc.) and waste. The platform aims to revalorize surplus and waste produced by supermarkets, shops, warehouses, factories, constructors and craftsmen, restaurants and public services by notifying interested stakeholders (charitable associations, social groceries, animal food production companies, waste management industries, eco-organizations) of their availability. The platform contributes to extending the life of products and promotes corporate social responsibility practices. Eqosphere received the Eco-Innovation Award at the Innovation Competition (2013) organized by the city of Paris.

Keywords: web innovation, circular economy, collaborative, surplus and waste, revalorization

Link: http://eqosphere.com/#partenaires


Clean Energy Planet

The company was founded in 2006 with a view to promote environmental solutions that favour sustainable development and renewable energy. Clean Energy Planet helps businesses and local authorities in the development of sustainable mobility solutions. In particular, this French company produces docking stations that lock and charge electric bicycles in a single gesture, thanks to a patented system (Patent No. 09/01196). The enterprise has also developed its own energy efficient electric bicycle, while since 2010 it also offers consultancy services. The overall target is the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy savings. The company’s clients primarily include enterprises that seek to replace their fleets of common-use vehicles (for short journeys) with electric bicycles. More than twenty docking stations are currently in use, while there are plans to create more. Clean Energy Planet was awarded the prize for best eco-innovation product at the Eco-Innovation Awards (2013) organized by the Association Création Développement Eco-Entreprises: cd2e. The company is also part of the innovation cluster CAPENERGIES (from the regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corse, Guadeloupe, Réunion and Monaco) which brings together more than 400 members working on energy projects.

Keywords: renewable energy, sustainable mobility, electric bicycles, CO2 emissions.

Link: http://www.cleanenergyplanet.com/index.php


Tenerrdis

Tennerids is competitiveness and innovation cluster located in the Rhône-Alpes region and specializing in renewable energies. Tenerrdis is a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors that is made up of representatives from large organisations (e.g. Alstom Power Environment, GDF Suez, Thales, Tenesol) SMEs, and research and training institutions, as well as local authorities. It has 140 members, of which two-thirds are from industry and of those as many as 70% are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Its stakeholders are primarily companies from the renewable energy sector. The cluster's core sectors are: Construction: Management and consumption in new buildings and renovations, integration of renewable energy in buildings, thermal engineering for buildings. Transport: Development of clean transport systems: smart grids and power storage (network infrastructure, batteries), hydrogen and fuel cells (production, storage and distribution). Energy production: Development and production of renewable energies (photovoltaic solar energy, thermal solar energy, concentrated solar as well as hydro-electricity (turbines, turbine-pumps, water turbines) and biomass (use of forest and agricultural resources, conversion processes) and converting them into four energy carriers: electricity, heat, biofuels and hydrogen.

The cluster works to strengthen the competitiveness of the French renewable energy industry through innovation. Its prime role is to stimulate partnerships between businesses, research and educational organizations, and public institutions in order to promote projects that create a platform for the generation of competencies, activities and employment. Through its work, Tenerrdis is seeking to help the different stakeholders based in Rhône-Alpes to maintain and improve their position in the global market for clean energy. Furthermore, Tenerrdis offers its members the opportunity to get specific public funding from the government and local authorities through an accreditation process for R&D projects with increased incentives for SMEs.

Keywords: cluster, innovation, renewable energies

Link: http://competitivite.gouv.fr/identifier-un-pole/fiche-d-un-pole-555/tenerrdis-71/tenerrdis-74/tenerrdis-75.html?cHash=4fdb16def8a6106d7f667bdf099e27c5


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Innovation Union, 2011, France Innovation and Competitiveness Report. Available at:http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/pdf/competitiveness-report/2011/countries/france.pdf

Ministère de l ́Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l ́Energie (MEDDE), 2013, Investissements d’Avenir. Available at: http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Investissements-d-avenir-Lancement,30981.html

Ministère de l'Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l'Energie (MEDDE), 2012, Les politiques d’éco-innovation. Available at: http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Les-politiques-d-eco-innovation.html

Ministère de l ́Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l ́Energie (MEDDE), 2011, Politique

énergétique. Available at: http://www.developpement durable.gouv.fr/Politique-energetique.html

Ministère de l'Ecologie, du Développement Durable et de l'Energie (MEDDE), 2010, Les clusters mondiaux dans le domaine des éco-technologies : enseignements, perspectives et opportunités. Available at: http://competitivite.gouv.fr/documents/commun/Documentation_poles/Comparaisons_internationales/synthese.pdf

Ministère du Redressement Productif (MRP), 2012, Eolien et Photovoltaique: Enjeux énergétiques, industriels et sociaux. Available at: http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Eolien-Photovoltaique_rapport-final.pdf

Najdawi C., 2013, Assessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester: Country Report France. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/g-gas/progress/docs/fr_2013_en.pdf

Portail du Gouvernement, 2012, De nouvelles mesures en faveur des véhicules électriques. Available at: http://www.gouvernement.fr/gouvernement/de nouvelles mesures en faveur des vehicules electriques

United Nations Climate Change Secretariat, 2011, Summary of GHG Emissions for France. Available at: https://unfccc.int/files/ghg_emissions_data/application/pdf/fra_ghg_profile.pdf

Phone Interview, 2014, Jean-Marc Merillot 31/1/2014..


ANNEX 1. Policy measures addressing eco-innovations in France

Focus of policy measure

Group of policy measures Type of policy measure

Specific measure

Please provide reference to or brief summary of specific measures (national, regional)

Generic focus on

eco-innovation

Resource efficiency improvem

ent

Energy efficiency improvem

ent

Reduction of emissions incl. CO2

Other relevant

areas (e.g. renewable

energy, etc)

Venture capital funds

DEMETER Common Fund for Risk Placement (http://www.aides-entreprises.fr/repertoiredesaides/aides.php?e=NTA3NQ==&id_ter=) offers support for SMEs in the field of sustainable development.

X

Equity/business support

Public guarantee funds

Energy Management Investment Guarantee Fund (FOGIME - http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/doc?id=40695&view=standard) is aimed at promoting SME investments towards a more rationalised used of energy. It provides a supplementary financial guarantee for bank loans in order for SMEs to finance their investment projects.

X

ECOTECH sustainable production and environmental technology programme (http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/ECOTECH-2011): the general objective of the programme is to promote the creation and dissemination of innovative technologies or services by supporting research on technological, organisational, regulatory, economic and social issues. Grant for technology transfer for public research organisations (http://www.bpifrance.fr/votre_projet/innover/aides_et_financements/aides/aide_au_transfert_de_technologie_pour_les_organismes_de_recherche) is aimed at facilitating the purchase of research outcomes generated by public laboratories by businesses

X

X

SUPP

LY S

IDE

FOC

US

Support for R&D in public

sector and industry

R&D funding

BPI France Green loans (http://www.comptanoo.com/all/actualite-tpe-pme/12534/financement/dispositif-public--pret-vert-bonifie) were developed as part of the Investments for the Future programme. They are awarded to SME wishing to carry out environmentally-oriented investments. The French Environmental and Energy Agency’s support for R&D and innovation projects: calls for proposals in the fields of new knowledge research (excluding fundamental research), support for eco-innovation, industrial research, experimental development (http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/KBaseShow?sort=-

X

X


1&cid=96&m=3&catid=24280)

Collaborative grants

R&D infrastructure

In the framework of PIA, a call for applications was made in 2012 by the General Direction of Competitiveness of Industry and the Services (DGCIS), BPI France and ADEME which targeted research projects with a high economic and environmental potential. The projects selected are to be commercially operationalized in a relatively short time frame (3 to five years). The call focuses mostly on the fields of waste and water management and metrology. The PIA has equally supported the establishment of Institutes for Energy Transition (in two waves, 2011 and 2012).

X

X

X

X

Tax incentives for R&D and start-ups

Fiscal measures

Tax incentives for R&D personnel

Tailored training courses for companies, entrepreneurs

French Environmental and Energy Agency training and courses for decision-makers and companies (http://formations.ademe.fr/index.php?s=produit) The French National Research Agency’s ‘Institutes for Technological Research’ are interdisciplinary institutes gathering industrial and public research actors in order to promote industrial or services development. IRT cover all innovation stages, from demonstration to industrial prototypes (http://competitivite.gouv.fr/les-investissements-d-avenir-une-opportunite-pour-les-poles-de-competitivite/les-instituts-de-recherche-technologique-irt-campus-d-innovation-654.html)

Advise/consulting for start ups, companies, entrepreneurs

French Environmental and Energy Agency market studies for entrepreneurs (http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/KBaseShow?sort=-1&cid=96&m=3&catid=24575) National Institute for Industrial Property’s (INPI) pre-diagnoses (http://www.inpi.fr/) offer businesses an evaluation of their needs in terms of industrial property. The service is financed by the INPI or regional council, making it free of cost for businesses.

Placement schemes for students

The French Environmental Agency’s scholarships for doctoral students (http://thesenet.ademe.fr/)

Education, training and

mobility

Support for R&D workers recruitments


Competence centres, clusters, science-technology parks

French national competitiveness cluster programme (http://competitivite.gouv.fr/): French competitiveness clusters bring together large and small firms, research laboratories and educational establishments, all working together in a specific region to develop synergies and cooperative efforts. The French government provides financial support via the Single Interministerial Fund (FUI) for collaborative R&D projects and innovation platforms. Regional councils also provide complementary support for governance structures and projects. The French government has recently awarded the ‘eco-technology competitiveness cluster’ label to six new clusters.

X X X X X

Technology platforms and innovation networks

Demonstrators and technology platforms for renewable energy and green chemicals: as part of the French Government’s Investments for the Future programme (Investissements d’Avenir) funding is provided for the creation collaborative platforms aimed at supporting the demonstration of new environmental technologies.

X X X

Foresight and common vision building

Networks and partnerships

Market intelligence and other forms of information

sharing

The Orée association gather businesses, local governments, corporate sector associations, education institutions and non-governmental organisations in order to carry out a collective debate regarding the best solutions in favour of an integrated environmental management (http://www.oree.org/presentation/objectifs.html).

Regulations, targets, cap & trade schemes

Regulations and standards Performance standards,

labeling, certification

NF environment eco-label awarded by the AFNOR certification agency (http://www.ecolabels.fr/fr/la-marque-nf-environnement-qu-est-ce-que-c-est) Environmental Technology Verification scheme managed by the French Environmental and Energy Agency (ADEME) Qualit’ENR association for the promotion of high-quality service provision of renewable energy systems (service provisions labels - http://www.qualit-enr.org/document/Menu_Haut/Qualit_EnR/Identite/index.htm)

X

X

X

X

DEM

AN

D S

IDE

FOC

US

Public procurement “Green“ public

procurement of goods and services

Electric vehicle procurement group (http://www.ugap.fr/actualite/actualites/actualites-ugap/les-vehicules-electriques-retenus-par-le-groupement-de-commandes_10171): As part of its electric vehicle plan, the French government created this group in order to facilitate the

X X


purchase, on behalf of public organisations, of electric vehicles.

R&D procurement

Pre-commercial procurement

Advisory support for technology adopters

French Environmental and Energy Agency’s technical and economic feasibility studies for technology adopters (http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/KBaseShow?nocache=yes&m=3&sort=-1&cid=96&catid=14981&p1=0)

Technology

Transfer Financial or fiscal support for technology adopters

(e.g. grants for purchasing new technology)

Tax incentives for consumers (e.g. for

purchasing environmentally efficient

products)

Bonus/malus system in the car market (cars are taxed or credited according to carbon emissions); the sustainable development tax credit (tax credits for energy related improvements in households); eco-loans with zero interest rates (for improving the energy efficiency of private residences); the government’s obligation to buy electricity produced by renewable sources; the General Tax on Polluting Activities (TGAP) which relates to waste management; the introduction (2012) of the Thermal Regulation in the area of low impact buildings etc.

X X

Tax reductions for products and services (e.g. VAT reductions)

Demand subsidies (e.g. eco-vouchers, consumer

subsidies)

Support of private demand

Awareness raising and information provision

About the Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO)

The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is an initiative financed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment. Since 2009 the Observatory has been developing an integrated information hub on eco-innovation addressed to business, policy makers, innovation service providers and researchers. The EIO supports the implementation of the European Eco-Innovation Action Plan of the European Commission.

Visit our website and get full, free access to the EIO’s reports and databases.

www.eco-innovation.eu