The document discusses building capacity for ecodesign in Wales using an innovation systems approach. It argues that previous interventions to promote ecodesign in small and medium enterprises focused too much on providing information and not enough on building capabilities and addressing systemic barriers. An innovation systems approach views innovation as an interactive process influenced by networks of public and private institutions. This type of approach could help balance environmental goals with long-term capacity building and better align competing policy priorities by accounting for the complex, non-linear nature of innovation. The key is to identify focus areas, map the life cycle, analyze markets, and build capacity across business support, education, and the design sector through platforms, programs, and partnerships.

1. Capacity building for ecodesign in Wales – an innovation systems approach? Simon O’Rafferty why ecodesign? SMEs “don’t do” ecodesign should governments intervene? can we learn from Innovation Systems?

2. Ecodesign Centre Wales funded by Welsh Assembly Government our role build capacity and capabilities in industry , public sector organisations and higher education so that effective ecodesign can happen in Wales big challenge / small team!

4. why ecodesign? potential to drive innovation enhance resource efficiency clean process that is low-cost as % of overall investment direct and indirect benefits (competitiveness and ‘public good’) meeting expectations of global consumer class potential to improve communications (branding, CSR, procurement etc) potential to influence consumer behaviour (SCP context)

5. SMEs “don’t do” ecodesign managerial, process and system barriers e.g. lack of managerial and operational resources lack of awareness, training, and motivation of employees failure of managers to harness the strategic considerations actors “can’t or won’t act” - i.e. uncertainty / poor appropriability competing policy rationales (e.g. environment and innovation) BUT they have a large cumulative environmental impact and are significant contributors to national economies

6. previous interventions inspiring case examples but; low long-term retention or diffusion of ecodesign activities emphasis on managerial systems operational issues information services • demonstration projects • R&D financing • grants • ‘ brokering’ services

7. linear models of innovation? based on linear models of innovation – rooted in neo-classical theory no difference between capabilities, knowledge and information

8. innovation systems “ policy is no longer only about correcting imperfect incentives for private agents but rather about facilitating the emergence of new opportunities by building innovation infrastructure ” (Norgen, L. Hauknes, J. 2000) policy and policy mechanisms should design institutional structures that stimulate and support sustainable innovation lessons for to intervention

9. innovation systems “ the network and interplay of public and private institutions in which production, distribution and use of new knowledge and technology take place” (Vinnova, 2006) interactive, non-linear and diffuse

17. design is an interactive process image source: engine group

19. practical actions for capacity building? identification of focus areas for intervention – from a life cycle perspective (mapping exercise) market analysis - key growth businesses creation of platforms for the open sharing of knowledge and experiences capacity building in existing business support infrastructure embedding ecodesign in higher education (mainstream design degrees) capacity building in the indigenous design sector establishing commercial support partners (creating linkages within industry)

20. benefits of IS approach? bridge trade-off between (urgent) environmental goals and aiming at building up a (long term) eco-innovative capacity align competing policy rationales enhance interventions by taking into account the richness and complexity of innovation processes role for stakeholders and ‘enablers’ to advance sustainable innovation throughout the policy-making and implementation process