Eco-innovation in the face of environmental protection

Eco-innovation is having a huge impact on the environment, and in more than one company you will see an increased interest in the subject of ecology. Large companies are taking up the baton, looking for products that allow them to use the potential of waste from their production to benefit the environment.

Eco-innovation - what is it and how does it affect the environment?

Eco-innovation, or eco-innovation, is a solution that exploits the potential of natural resources and their subsequent use in the economy. In other words, it is the use of technology to reduce the negative impact of consumption on the environment.

The application of eco-innovations should be done after examining their possible effects at the time, which is why a holistic view is so important - taking into account the whole of the problem and looking for multiple solutions at once. In this field, the ability to see the big picture is crucial. It is necessary to ask well-formulated questions so that their solution is not in doubt.

The development of optimal activity of different areas of the economy, initially considered harmful to the environment, is essential for the emergence of new standards. Norms that are necessary to give companies direction. They allow businesses to adapt to new assumptions that affect them, just as they do us.

What are some examples of eco-innovation?

Environmental innovation has an impact on the overall quality of life. Large companies and start-ups are racing to introduce solutions to reduce the waste of raw materials and turn this into a product that has a positive impact on the ecosystem. Examples of technological innovation can be seen all over the world.

Many start-ups are proposing to turn simple solutions into eco-friendly ones. An easily accessible example, spread globally and available in Poland, is zero-emission transport. We are not only talking about the introduction of public bicycles in cities, but also about the introduction of subsidies for electric cars, which encourage people to change their vehicle. The number of people using this type of transport is increasing every year and in 2021 was 6.5% higher than last year.

Hybrid buses, which have a much better environmental impact compared to diesel buses, are also increasingly common on city streets.

Nor can we fail to mention the Oceans' plastic clean-up system. As we know, tonnes of plastic end up in the waters every year and put the lives of marine creatures at risk. Over the years, many solutions have been developed to reduce the export of plastic into the oceans, but one in particular stands out. The Ocean Cleanup involves collecting litter using nets that do not harm creatures living in the waters.

One solution that is only just beginning to emerge in Poland is vertical farming. They are most often established in larger cities, where initiatives of this type are in great demand.

How is eco-innovation used in Poland?

As we mentioned earlier, eco-innovation can already be found all over the world. In Poland, too, this sector is developing rapidly regardless of the size of the area in which it operates. In terms of structures, it looks different, but when coming to conclusions, one can see the impact of innovations increasing year by year, in smaller and smaller localities.

Examples of green technology can be seen even in small villages and smaller towns. These solutions show how little it takes to be able to combine enjoying life or ordinary daily chores with supporting the environment.

One such solution is the erection of more than three hundred solar-powered street lamps. In addition, the lamps have an intelligent lighting management system that adjusts the intensity of the light according to the conditions outside. Speaking of solar energy, investment in solar panels on educational buildings cannot be overlooked.

Innovation in ecology could not progress if it were not for education, which is why once-abandoned buildings turned into centres for environmental education are also being recognised. It is also worth mentioning that programmes to educate pupils and young people about water conservation, waste separation and other important aspects of environmental protection are being rewarded. The creation of new sewage treatment sites or wind power plants also does not go unnoticed.

Solutions are also being created to improve the quality of life and improve places open to the public. Several municipalities have cycle paths illuminated by LED lamps that are powered by a nearby photovoltaic plant. Sports halls, insulated with renewable energy, can also be found.

Are green technologies the future?

Innovative green ideas are certainly taking over each economic sector in turn. However, are they doomed to success? In order to see the positive aspects of these numerous developments, it is necessary to look to the past and compare projected research results on ecosystem change.

In other words, it is easy to judge whether a solution is negative or positive by looking only at its surface. Public dissemination and promotion of ecological solutions can indicate that they will stay with us for a long time. Searching for answers on the internet, articles in magazines and social campaigns are the most frequently used sources of knowledge about ecology.

However, one can also ask in another way - do we have a way out? Research and expert opinion unequivocally show that unless we start doing something about climate and environmental change, everyone's quality of life could deteriorate significantly.

Changes in some areas are noticeable immediately. The effects of others will only be felt in a few years, but this should not demotivate anyone from taking part in green projects. Appropriate management of technologies and resources can reduce the emissions produced by the operation of many appliances.

To return to the point, yes, minimising negative impacts using eco-innovations will improve the environment. Often the use of available resources is associated with a significant improvement in the quality of life, e.g. as in the case of lighting a cycle path. Progress in development is needed to understand what would have happened if none of these investments had taken place.