The global market for green technologies represents a big opportunity for European firms. Currently, the global market for environmental goods and services is estimated to be around €1000 billion per annum - and this is expected to double or even triple by 2020.
Europe produces some world leading eco-technologies. Our core environmental industries that are active in the fields of pollution management and control, waste collection and treatment, renewable energy and recycling have a combined turnover of over €300bn; provide more than 3 million jobs, and have an impressive overall global market share of approximately 1/3rd. This sector is offering many new and skilled green jobs and exploiting first mover advantages. And as European industries have to thrive or strive in the global arena the external competitiveness implications of our actions are also crucial.
The global market for green technologies represents a big opportunity for European firms. Currently, the global market for environmental goods and services is estimated to be around €1000 billion per annum - and this is expected to double or by 2020.
But neither Europe nor industry can do this alone. In a globalised world, we have to be realistic and reasonable about our industry’s potential contribution to worldwide environmental improvements. The EU is working hard to obtain ambitious and effective outcomes in Rio+20 and in climate and other relevant negotiations. Each region’s responsibilities and priorities are different but as we share the planet, we must all be part of the change we want.
It is encouraging to see that in Europe significant decoupling of economic growth and environmental impact has already been achieved and is continuing. Policies like Ecodesign are driving this change and helping to deliver more sustainable, products, production and consumption. Corporate Social Responsibility is also a flexible and effective way to encourage companies to do the right thing for societies and the planet - think partnerships instead of polemics.
Employment growth in EU eco-industry sub-sectors in the period 2000–2008:
| 2000 | 2008 | % | |
| Waste management | 844.766 | 1.466.673 | 7.14 |
| Water supply | 417.763 | 703.758 | 6.74 |
| Wastewater management | 253.554 | 302.958 | 2.25 |
| Recycled materials | 229.286 | 512.337 | 10.57 |
| Others | 129.313 | 193.854 | 5.19 |
| Renewable energy | 49.756 | 167 283 | 16.37 |
| Air pollution | 22.600 | 19.067 | 2.10 |
| Biodiversity | 39.667 | 49.196 | 2.73 |
| Soil and groundwater | 14.882 | 18 412 | 2.70 |
| Noise and vibration | 4.176 | 7.565 | 7.71 |
| Total | 2.005.764 | 3.441.102 | 6.98 |
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