Eco-innovation and economic performance in industrial clusters: evidence from Italy

The article aims to investigate the presence of a correlation between eco-innovation and economic performance of an industrial district. The case analyzed in this article takes its cue from a study on a sample of 54 Italian industrial districts entitled "Eco-Districts" that, based on a series of criteria, has compiled a list of the most eco-efficient industrial districts. After selecting two districts in the field, but analyzed in this study for their different levels of eco-innovation, the article assesses the economic performance of the last three years through the analysis of trends in four indicators. However, the results show that only in some cases there is a connection between eco innovation and economic performance.industrial clusters, industrial districts, eco-innovation, economic performance

A cluster-based approach as an effective way to implement the ECAP (Environmental Compliance Action Program): evidence from some good practices

SMEs can have a considerable impact on the environment. This is not necessarily through individual pressure, but through their combined total impact across environmental sectors. Most SMEs are ‘vulnerably compliant’, especially due to lack of awareness concering the environmental impacts of their own activities, ignorance of environmental legislation, lack of capacity to tackle their environmental impacts. Within this framework, the networking approach known as the “cluster approach” and, especially, its key-instrument: the Environmental Management System, have shown their ability to strengthen the environmental competence and know-how at the local level, as well as the improvement of environmental performances of both individual SMEs and entire productive areas, considered as a whole. The paper aims at presenting the key methodological and operational issues emerging from local experiences, describing them as good practices, and to explain how the “cluster approach” has been further enhanced by way of a EU-funded LIFE project, currently in progress.

What factors influence the uptake of GPP (Green Public Procurement) practices? New evidence from an Italian survey

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is becoming a cornerstone of environmental policies both at European Union and Member State level. Drawing upon a database of public authorities located in three Italian Regions, this paper assesses the determinants and drawbacks of green procurement adoption. In particular, using an econometrical approach we tested the following propositions: i) the existing awareness on GPP practices, tools and regulations does support public authorities to develop GPP strategies; (ii) the support of external experts in purchasing function does support public authorities to develop GPP practices; (iii) the small dimension of public authority is an obstacle to adopting GPP practices; (iv) ISO 14001 certified public authorities are more likely to develop GPP practices. The econometric analysis shows that the dimension of public authorities and the level of awareness of the existing tools for supporting GPP have a positive and significant effect on the probability that they adopt GPP practices.green public procurement, local authorities, ISO 14001, environment.

A cluster-based approach as an effective way to implement the environmental compliance assistance programme: Evidence from some good practices

SMEs - Small and Medium Enterprises - are to be considered a crucial target if policy makers really want to pursue sustainable development. These companies are responsible for a large share of business environmental impacts, but they show a low wareness about it and on environmental legislation. Our article aims at demonstrating how an innovative approach to environmental management, the “cluster approach”, can be an effective tool to improving the complance of SMEs and, as a consequence, their environmental performance. The local experiences, analyzed in our work, show the effectiveness of the cluster approach to strengthen the environmental competence and know-how at the local level, as well as the improvement of environmental performances of both individual SMEs and of the entire productive areas. How to develop the cluster approach and include it structurally in policy-making should be the question for future research and experimental initiatives, such as the on-going ECCELSA project

Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure the environmental benefits of industrial symbiosis in an industrial cluster of SMEs

Collaborative approach and infrastructures sharing are key industrial symbiosis initiatives adopted in clusters of SMEs. Several studies have dealt with the environmental benefits of industrial symbiosis however only a few have adopted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the benefits of these initiatives on the typical product of the cluster. Our paper presents the case of an Italian tannery cluster located in Tuscany. Through the calculation of an LCA with average data, our study compares the impact category results between two scenarios: the existing scenario where the IS initiatives are implemented and the other where these initiatives are less developed. The results show the positive contribution of these initiatives in several LCA impact categories such as climate change and terrestrial eutrophication

Industrial Clusters and Environmental Management

The chapter deals with relationship between industrial policies and territorial environmental policies in industrial clusters. Because of the globalisation processes, the European SMEs operating in industrial clusters are showing difficulties in maintaining their market competitiveness and nourishing their capability to achieve economic performances; this crisis, with the addition of an increased and increasing care to environmental protection, stimulated the need of new planning and managerial tools, both at territorial and firm levels. By relying on the nature of the industrial processes, social relations and tight interactions between stakeholders existing within a so-called “industrial cluster”, the methodological approach detailed in the paper aims at applying tools typical of environmental management to industrial clusters, making them useful to SMEs and local communities requirements. Within these territorial agglomerations of industrial activities, there are often significant environmental problems caused by the high concentration of pollutant production processes. Moreover, due to the large number of similar industrial activities, there is a “cumulative” effect for many environmental aspects (such as the amplified impact of the same emission to air produced by many different firms, or the amplified traffic problem induced by the transportation of intermediate goods within the cluster). These environmental problems are caused by the interactions between firms in the local supply chain: a co-operative approach is needed in order to favour an integrated management of the environmental aspects. In particular, this method encompasses the implementation of the different steps foreseen by the EMAS Regulation at the cluster level. This approach was experimented in a European Life - Project, involving the Lucca Paper Cluster, in Tuscany Region. After describing the theoretical background of the “cluster approach” to the environmental management, and after detailing the phases that compose this approach, the chapter describes all activities that were carried out within the Lucca industrial cluster and main related emerged results. In particular the article focuses on the territorial and sectoral indicators used in the Initial Cluster Environmental Review and their adoptability in a cluster environmental performances monitoring perspective. The results show not only the adoptability of the proposed model in a long term vision, but also the effectiveness of this managerial tool in respect to the local environmental performances. Data and performance indicators about the improvement of the environmental conditions are showed, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented model. In the final part of the article some conclusive remarks are furnished

Eco-Industrial Parks Development and Integrated Management Challenges: Findings from Italy

The evolution of Eco Industrial Parks (EIPs) in Italy is a development opportunity for many territories and companies. Starting from the initial experiences in the 1980s, the Eco Industrial Parks model has spread throughout many of the central and northern regions of the country. The key element of Italian Eco Industrial Parks is the management body, an entity provided by national legislation to manage and coordinate companies and to develop more environmentally sustainable production practices. The survey results describe the role and activities of the management bodies concerning the actions implemented, the interaction with the main stakeholders and the resources and investments. The following research introduces an important environmental management experience implemented in Italy

Sustainability actions in Mediterranean Countries through cooperation partnership: the case of the project PAMLED

In the recent years the involvement of the third countries in achieving the environmental Policy objectives set up by the European Union are becoming more and more important. Several Programs of cooperation co-fund activities and actions to improve the state of the Environment of third Mediterranean partners in order to achieve a global improvement of the environment. This paper aims to present the results of the project PAMLED co-funded by the Med-Pact Programme of the EU. The project will complete its course at the end of April and it aims to develop and strengthen the capabilities of three Mediterranean cities (City of Marrakech - Morocco, Sin El Fil – Lebanon and Bodrum -Turkey) in managing and promoting their local sustainable development, as well as implementing innovative different action fields. The strengthening of the capabilities of these Mediterranean partners was mainly based on the ‘collective learning’, achieved by the constitution of a partnerships with five European partners (Municipalities of: Prato, Lucca, Brtonigla, Rio Marina and Skopje). Needs and priorities of each Mediterranean partner were identified and pilot actions were specifically elaborated in order to promote the sustainable development and the exploitation of local resources, with particular respect to environmental protection, the enhancement of local tangible and intangible assets, economic support and an overall sustainable development The paper will show the outputs of several pilot actions carried out in the three Mediterranean cities involved. The Municipality of Bodrum carried out innovative pilot actions in the field of urban waste management; Sin El Fil developed a pilot project titled “Youth development plan”, while the City of Marrakech carried out a pilot project aimed at sensitizing the local communities and the actors of the touristic sector (e.g. hotels, hammams) on the importance to reduce water consumption.

Overview of Past and Ongoing Experiences Dealing with the Environmental Management at Cluster Level

In recent years the topic of environmental management has become very common. In sustainable development conditions, central and local governments much more often notice the need of acting in ways that diminish negative impact on environment. Environmental management may take place on many different levels - starting from global level, e.g. climate changes, through national and regional level (environmental policy) and ending on micro level. This publication shows many examples of environmental management. The diversity of presented aspects within environmental management and approaching the subject from the perspective of various countries contributes greatly to the development of environmental management field of research