There are two main ways in which businesses can help to create a more environmentally friendly economy. First and foremost, they can take their own internal measures to reduce their environmental footprint. Such measures may take the form of being energy-efficient (building sustainable offices, installing energy-efficient lighting, purchasing sustainable materials, etc.) and/or generating their own energy in a sustainable manner (e.g. using solar panels, wind turbines or cogeneration technology). They can also make a significant contribution by bringing to the market 'green' products, technologies and services capable of meeting today's – and tomorrow's – needs in an efficient manner.

 

To gain a better understanding of how businesses can play their part in combating climate change, the business school Insead produced a research report for FEB entitled Greening the Economy: Creating a Climate for Change. The study confirms that European industry is a world leader in terms of efficient use of energy. Europe also scores highly in eco-innovation in general and patent registrations in the fields of renewable energy, waste management and motor vehicle abatement technologies in particular.  By contrast, however, we ranked less highly when it came to investment in clean technology (measured in terms of venture capital (VC) investment) and indeed lag some way behind North America in that regard. Cleantech VC investment has been rising substantially in both Europe and North America over the past seven years but in 2007, for example, the Insead study recorded annual investment in cleantech VC of approximately USD 3,750 million in North America as compared with just USD 1,250 million in Europe. 

 

Eco-business is growing rapidly, too, not unlike the growth of the ICT market during the 1980s. There are nevertheless differences between the two models, though. Rising oil prices and national climate targets are two unprecedented factors driving forward today's worldwide cleantech market. The latter is therefore more attractive than the ICT market in which companies had to make the running themselves and actively 'push' mobile Internet technology and other applications. Moreover, the world economy is no longer run by the same players as it once was for it is no longer the G7 but the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and Next 11 countries (emerging economies including Egypt, Indonesia and South Korea among others) which will call the shots. Cleantech is therefore a higher priority than ever before from a geopolitical standpoint. Europe has the key tools it needs to be able to compete effectively and, indeed, to conquer the global eco-innovation market. But with America raising its game, Europe absolutely cannot afford to miss this opportunity. 

 

The same applies to Belgium. Many Belgian companies have the expertise and knowhow to carve out a pivotal position for themselves in this market. They also have a great deal to contribute in terms of worldwide technology transfer and exchange of best practices with a view to becoming as energy-efficient as possible, reducing CO2 emissions and promoting renewable energies. If we look at European export figures in detail, we see that five countries account for 75% of eco-industry exports: Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Italy. 

 

Belgian eco-businesses make a significant contribution to global environment and climate challenges. Strangely enough, though, they do not yet enjoy the profile they deserve at international level. In a bid to rectify this situation, FEB is seeking to place additional emphasis on Belgian expertise and knowhow during economic missions abroad during late 2008 and throughout 2009. Together with its sectoral federations FEB has put together a brochure on Belgian eco-business (entitled Belgian Eco-business: leading the way!) intended to showcase the range of products and services Belgium has to offer in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, water management, waste processing, air purification and soil decontamination. 

 

During the most recent economic missions to Egypt, Argentina and Indonesia, this initiative by FEB certainly appeared to achieve the desired effect and promote Belgian eco-business extremely well. Meetings during the mission revealed that the products, services and technologies produced by Belgian eco-businesses appear to be tailored very much to these countries' requirements. 

 

The Egyptian government, for example, has set itself the goal of generating 3% of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2010, with this target figure set to rise to 20% by 2020. Although unable to generate vast quantities of energy from renewable sources on account of its relatively meagre natural resources, Belgium nevertheless boasts many innovative companies with the expertise and knowhow to be of assistance to the Egyptian government. Hansen Transmissions, a market leader in gearboxes, is just one example but there are many other companies, too, with specific expertise in wind energy and which can therefore make a valuable contribution. Belgium's offshore wind farm in the North Sea is a shining example of advanced environmental technology in engineering terms as well as with regard to dredging and laying the necessary pedestals and other structural components at sea. No other wind farm in the world lies so far offshore and extends so far down beneath the ocean floor. Many Belgian companies have also carved out a niche for themselves in solar energy, too, and a fully fledged chain has emerged, running from the production of photovoltaic cells (Umicore and Photovoltech among others) via the production of modules (Soltech) to the assembly of solar panels. From an architectural standpoint, roofing specialists Eternit and Koramic have also developed an integrated roof solution for solar panels.

 

The realisation that supplies of raw materials are finite and that the world's rising energy demand as a result of ever increasing levels of consumption will not be met unless we adopt renewable alternatives is also being brought home to countries undergoing profound economic growth. In late 2007, for example, Argentina pledged to adopt a more prudent approach to energy usage across the board (authorities and general public alike). There are many leading Belgian companies capable of fitting out buildings with the appropriate technology and thereby able to support Argentina in achieving its goal. Recticel, for example, can supply top-quality insulation panels while glass films manufactured by Bekaert can effectively block out over 99% UV solar rays. Major cities such as Buenos Aires are often faced with environmental problems such as air pollution, contaminated water and mountains of waste. For instance, Buenos Aires itself has 286 bus lines and Van Hool's hybrid bus could well be an ideal solution in this respect. Umicore's catalytic converters, which have now been fitted to one in three vehicles worldwide, such buses could also help to improve the city's air quality considerably.

 

As a result of rocketing economic growth and minimal enforcement of regulations, most industries in Indonesia channel their wastewater directly into rivers without first decontaminating it. This results in watercourses becoming polluted and causes water-supply problems in downstream areas. The Indonesian government has compiled a medium- to long-term development plan (2004-2009) and is actively seeking ways in which to limit damage to the country's waterways. With wastewater purification a priority in Indonesia, there are now additional opportunities for Belgian companies, which can offer wastewater-purification technology, drinking-water stations, technology for assessing and monitoring water quality, desalination processes, dredging technology and many other solutions besides. There are also openings in the tourism sector. Belgian company Realco, for example, produces environmentally friendly detergents which not only clean but also enhance water quality.