Eco-innovation manual

Eco-innovation is the development and application of a business model, shaped by a new business strategy that incorporates sustainability throughout all business operations based on life cycle thinking and in cooperation with partners across the value chain. This manual introduces a methodology for the implementation of eco-innovation within small and medium sized companies in developing and emerging economies. Eco-innovation is an approach for companies to lead their way in sustainability and circularity. The approach helps to integrate the economic purpose of any business with its social and environmental purpose. Sustainability becomes part of the corporate DNA and a source of innovation, in turn fueling engines of inclusive and sustainable growth. It is a continuous process of change that requires companies to think strategically and systematically using a lifecycle (system) approach to sustainability issues. For the companies, this means making strategic and on-the-ground changes throughout a product's entire life cycle , looking beyond the company's boundaries, across the value chain, to reduce environmental, social and economic burdens. It leads to re-thinking a company's business strategy and business model to address key sustainability hotspots through innovative – including technological – solutions developed in collaboration with value chain partners. Eco-innovation leads to waste and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, resource efficiency, higher efficiency in production and the avoidance of hazardous substances, and it gives giving workers a better quality of life. It enables companies, including SMEs, to design more circular products and offer more sustainable services to consumers.