Sustainable Development thru Eco-Innovation Activities

Abstract

The activity of innovative activity of enterprises represents one of the important elements of regional and national development. The purpose of the paper is to assess relationship between eco-innovation activities and sustainable development in European countries. Analysis includes organizational eco-innovations implemented by enterprises. In analysis were included ecoinnovation projects, expressed by environmental friendly certificates ISO 14001 and 5001. The level of sustainable development of analysed countries has been expressed as Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDG). Results indicate a positive relationship between the eco-innovative activities and level of sustainable development. Although ecological innovations are rarely implemented and there is a small percentage of companies with environmental friendly standards. This kind of activity is mostly conducted in sectors manufacturing metal, food and chemical products, in construction, and electrical and optical equipment. This paper highlights the significance of ecological innovations, and importance of the activities in this matter undertaken by enterprises for sustainable development of the entire country.