Analysis of the EU eco-industries, their employment and export potential

This study has collated available environmental expenditure data on the market for goods and services produced by eco-industries in both the EU-15 and the Candidate Countries, as the basis for describing the economic significance of the sector, including employment levels. Whilst there are gaps and inconsistencies in the available data sets, only limited estimation procedures are required to derive a detailed and rigorous basis for economic analysis. The study also provides insights into the export capabilities of EU Member States, particularly their relationship with the Candidate Countries. For the purposes of this study, eco-industries have been defined according to the definition contained in u0093The Environmental Goods and Services Industry u0096 Manual for Data Collection and Analysisu0094 (OECD/Eurostat, 1999). This defines eco-industries as u0093activities which produce goods and services to measure, prevent, limit, minimise or correct environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as problems related to waste, noise and eco-systems. This includes cleaner technologies, products and services that reduce environmental risk and minimise pollution and resource useu0094.