Introduction

We provide a short conceptual sketch of the scientific framework in which the book is embedded, of which eco-innovation (EI) is probably the corner stone. EI is becoming a conceptual reference point for many regional and international public policies and management strategies. Over the first years of the twenty-first century, this field of research has been focusing on environmental innovations, particularly related to the intensity of emissions, and economic performance and efficiency. There are two reasons for this growing interest. The first is that environmental performance is one of the main economic policy goals of European countries thanks to its relevance in the Lisbon Strategy and the Göteborg priorities for sustainable development. The second, which is partly linked to the first, is related to the growing impact of environmental regulation on private sector activity in many European countries.