Community innovation statistics: Innovation activities and their effects

This issue of 'Statistics in Focus' takes a closer look at the ‘green’ aspects of innovation and at the supporting measures put in place by the European Union. According to the findings of the Fourth Community Innovation Survey (CIS 4) innovation does not always reduce environmental impacts or the use of raw materials. Indeed, these effects are only two among a number of other effects, and not necessarily the most important. The survey found that the positive environmental effects of innovation actually ranked last, behind the effects on the quality and diversity of goods and services.