Environmental innovations in Germany - results of the second survey wave

In 2009 the preliminary results of a study on the origin, diffusion and effects of environmental and sustainable innovations were presented (see ifo Schnelldienst 14/2009). For the study, the Ifo Institute conducted a cross-industry survey and a patent analysis using the database of the European Patent Agency. The survey covered the period 2004 to 2006 as well as 2007 to 2009. In this article the results of the second survey wave are presented as well as changes over the first survey period. The results show that environmental innovation activities - in many cases supported by corresponding political framework conditions - were quite positive despite the difficult macroeconomic environment.