Towards a comprehensive development of eco-innovation indicators in forestry sector: an application in the Italian Alps
Author(s)
Date Issued
2021
Type
article
Volume
46
Issue
1
Start Page
59
End Page
73
Journal
Abstract
The concept of “eco-innovation” has been increasingly used in environmental
policy to analyze an innovation system taking into account social, ecological and
economic pillars of sustainability. The aim of this study is to develop a set of eco innovation indicators suitable to analyze the forest-wood chain at local level. The study
was structured in three steps: literature review on eco-innovation indicators; defining a
set of eco-innovation indicators suitable for the forestry sector; testing of eco-innovation
indicators in a pilot area (Province of Trento, Italy). Eight indicators and sixteen sub indicators suitable for the forestry sector were identified. The eco-innovation indicators
were quantified using official statistics and new data collected by administering a
questionnaire to 114 forest-wood chain actors. The results show an average efficiency of
the timber processing and a medium-high level of enhancement of the wood residues
generated by production process. Conversely, the level of collaboration between actors
of forest-wood chain and institutional actors (universities, research institutes, R&D
agencies) could be improved with the aim of increasing the diffusion of eco-innovation
knowledge and information. The eco-innovation indicators developed by this study
emphasize environmental impacts and negative externalities of innovation process in the
forestry sector.