Practical Implementation Paper – Page 2

Contemporary developments in Green Economy and Green Entrepreneurship at both the EU and national level

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1.1. Introduction

In Europe, there has been a significant shift towards green economy and green entrepreneurship in recent years. The European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, and improve energy efficiency. These targets are part of the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

To support the growth of green economy and green entrepreneurship, the EU has implemented various policies and initiatives. One of the key policies is the European Green Deal, which was launched in 2019. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive plan to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. It includes a range of measures, such as increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable agriculture, and protecting biodiversity (https://www.switchtogreen.eu/the-eu-green-deal-promoting-a-green-notable-circular-economy/ ). Another key policy is the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to promote a circular economy in Europe. A circular economy is an economic system that minimizes waste and maximizes the use of resources. The plan includes measures to promote sustainable product design, increase recycling and reuse, and reduce waste.

The European Commission prepared the Europe 2020 Strategy fostering smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. Through this Strategy, the Commission contributes to making significant steps towards the global Sustainable Development Goals, by forming the Union as an inclusive space with low-carbon economy, resource efficient. In addition, the Strategy actively supports businesses and administrations. To move on, on 2 May 2022 the 8th Environment Action Programme entered into force, as the EU’s legally agreed common agenda for environment policy until 2030. Moreover, the new European Consensus on Development (5) strengthens EU commitment to promote the green and circular economy in partner countries. In line with goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, it states that ‘the EU and its Member States will promote an economic transformation that creates decent jobs, increases productive capacity, generates sufficient revenues for public services and social protection, fosters sustainable value chains and diversification, including sustainable industrialization.

Another example of European institution set to promote green economy is the European Investment Bank (EIB) which provides financing for projects that promote sustainable growth, such as renewable energy projects and energy efficiency measures. The EU also offers funding and support for green start-ups and businesses through programs like Horizon 2020 and the European Investment Fund.

Overall, the shift towards green economy in Europe represents an important step towards a more sustainable and resilient future. By promoting sustainable development and reducing environmental impact, Europe can contribute to the global effort to address climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

On the other hand, green entrepreneurship in Europe covers a range of sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and green technology. Start-ups in these sectors are focused on developing innovative solutions to address environmental challenges while also creating jobs and promoting economic growth.

Many European countries have also taken steps to support green entrepreneurship. For example, Germany has established the KfW Development Bank, which provides funding and support for sustainable business ventures. The UK has launched the Green Investment Bank to support the development of low-carbon projects. In France, the government has launched the Green Tech Verte program to support green start-ups.

One of the main factors driving green entrepreneurship in Europe is the increasing demand for environmentally sustainable products and services. Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact of their choices on the environment and are seeking out products and services that have a lower environmental footprint. This has created opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that meet these consumer demands. Another factor is the increasing availability of funding and support for green start-ups and businesses. The European Union (EU) has established various funding mechanisms to support the growth of green entrepreneurship, including the European Investment Fund and the Horizon 2020 program. Many European countries have also established their own funding programs to support green start-ups and businesses.

The growth of green entrepreneurship in Europe has also led to the emergence of new business models and practices that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. For example, some start-ups are developing circular economy models that prioritize the reuse and recycling of materials. Others are adopting social enterprise models that prioritize social and environmental impact over profit.

Overall, the shift towards green economy and green entrepreneurship in Europe represents an important step towards a more sustainable and resilient future. By supporting these initiatives, governments, businesses, and individuals can work together to promote sustainable growth and protect the environment. The shift towards green economy in Europe covers a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable transport, eco-tourism, and green technology. The growth of green entrepreneurship in Europe represents an important step towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

After having presented the contemporary developments of green economy and green entrepreneurship at the European level, it is high time this chapter moved to presenting an overall view of green economy and green entrepreneurship at the national level of the partner countries of the project: Ireland, Italy, Greece, Poland, Romania, and Spain.

1.2. Contemporary Developments in Green Economy and Green Entrepreneurship at the National level

Ireland

Ireland has set an ambitious decarbonisation plan, making it an attractive location for global companies to invest in. The country targets at least 80% electricity generation from renewables by 2030 and ranks second in Europe for wind and solar energy production per capita. As Europe’s most westerly country on the Atlantic coast, Ireland benefits from abundant wind energy and fast wind speeds, Ireland is the world’s first in onshore wind electricity demand share and is developing offshore wind energy plans to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The government is committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals by aligning its plans, including grants for sustainable projects, research grants, tax incentives, and 50 environmental transformations to lower client carbon emissions.

Green entrepreneurship is growing in Ireland, but access to funding remains a significant challenge for green entrepreneurs. However, the Environmental Protective Agency’s (EPA) Green Enterprise circular economy approach, the Green Team network, the Urban Uplift Fund, and the Green Transition Fund are some initiatives that can help green businesses.

The Urban Uplift Fund aims to enable young adults to reach their full potential by supporting innovative projects that secure employment and/or apprenticeships for young adults at risk of permanent exclusion and enhance their full participation in society. Following the last economic recession, Ireland had made great progress in reducing unemployment rates and barriers preventing people from entering the labour market. However, this progress has not benefited everyone in society on an equal basis and with the onset and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, these inequalities have only increased. The Fund will aim to empower up to 120 young adults into jobs, apprenticeships or work experience programmes in the green and/or digital economy. In addition, it will aim to enable up to 75 young adults to complete certified training and up to 80 to progress on to further education.

The Green Team network facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration among companies in the Irish Funds industry, aiming to address sustainability goals.

Green business supports for business in Ireland

Under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) (2021-2026), projects supporting the digital and climate transition of enterprise are being funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. This covers projects that will facilitate emissions reductions as part of a decarbonisation plan of Irish enterprise.

It comprises two separate streams of funding, to support the different aspects of the decarbonisation journey for Irish enterprises, including:

Climate Planning Fund for Business – building company capability to develop plans for lower-carbon products, processes, and business models.
Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund– supporting capital investment and Research, Development and Innovation in decarbonisation.

The EPA’s Green Enterprise circular economy approach provides opportunities for enterprises to enhance competitiveness and reduce business costs, while the Green Transition Fund will accelerate the decarbonisation of Irish enterprise through two separate streams of funding supporting the development of lower-carbon products, processes, and business models.

The organisation Bord na Móna has an Accelerate Green programme for businesses focusing on sustainability and climate action. In Ireland alone, we waste over 1m tons of food each year. The food service sector is responsible for approximately 250,000 tons of this food waste resulting in 875,000 tons of CO2, and costing €300m to the industry per annum. One business taking part in the Accelerate Green programme is Positive Carbon. It has built a fully automated food waste monitoring system that tracks and logs all waste in kitchens, food waste monitoring for hotels, restaurants and cities, helping make businesses more sustainable and saving them money.

FoodCloud, one of Ireland’s largest social enterprises, also works to reduce food waste by connecting businesses with surplus food to charities and community groups. The concept behind FoodCloud is simple: businesses with surplus food, such as supermarkets or restaurants, can upload information about the food to a mobile app, which is then distributed to local charities and community groups that can use it. The app helps to ensure that the food is used to feed people who need it, rather than going to waste. FoodCloud also works to raise awareness about food waste and promote sustainable food practices. The organisation offers training and support to businesses and community groups on reducing food waste and has also launched several public awareness campaigns to highlight the issue. In 2021, FoodCloud redistributed 16,380 tons of surplus food (39 million meals) across four markets: Ireland, UK, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, contributing to the avoidance of approximately 52,416 tons of CO2 equivalent. This was a 25% increase on the 13,116 tons of surplus food (31 million meals) that had been redistributed in 2020.

The Green for Micro programme offers businesses with up to ten employees two days of free consulting, with the help of a Green Consultant, to help prepare for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. Smaller SME (under 10 employees) can contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to start developing your sustainable action plan. The free Green for Micro programme helps prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource-efficient economy of the future. The two-day mentoring support with a green consultant provides businesses with advice and technical expertise tailored to their business and green goals.

The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) is a tax incentive scheme that promotes investment in energy efficient products & equipment. The ACA is based on the long-standing ‘Wear and Tear Allowance’ for investment in capital plant and machinery, whereby capital depreciation can be compensated through a reduction in an organization’s tax liability. The ACA scheme allows a sole trader, farmer or company that pays corporation tax in Ireland to deduct the full cost of the equipment from their profits in the year of purchase.

The initiative supports businesses to develop and demonstrate innovative practical applications and solutions that prevent waste and stimulate the circular economy. A circular economy is where no resources are wasted and the value of materials are kept in the economy as long as possible, through reuse, repair, and recycling.

Challenges facing green entrepreneurs

One challenge facing green entrepreneurs is the lack of a supportive ecosystem. Many green entrepreneurs find it difficult to find mentors and other resources that can help them navigate the complexities of starting and running a business. In addition, there is a shortage of skilled workers in the green technology sector, making it difficult for businesses to find the talent they need to grow. However, this is changing.

Despite these challenges, there are also many opportunities for green entrepreneurship in Ireland. The country has a highly skilled workforce and a growing culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, making it an attractive location for startups. In addition, there is growing demand for green products and services from consumers and businesses, which presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses that can meet this demand.

Green entrepreneurship is an important part of Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy. While there are still many challenges facing green entrepreneurs in the country, there are also significant opportunities for those who are willing to take the risk and develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges. With the right support, funding, and ecosystem, green entrepreneurs can play a vital role in creating a more sustainable future for Ireland.

Italy

Green economy is not only a development model indicated at an international and European level, but also the model most closely matching the features of Italy, most likely to hold together and enhance the fundamental characteristics of the Italian territory: the beauty of the historical and natural heritage and the quality of production, the creativity and industriousness of entrepreneurs and workers, social cohesion and the close relationship between economy, territory, and community.

The States General on the Green Economy in Italy concluded in November 2022, involving the business world, institutions, and the community, during which the survey on the state of the green economy in Italy carried out by the Foundation for Sustainable Development and EY Italy Consulting was presented. This survey, addressed to 1000 businesses, clearly shows a widespread attention to the ecological transition: a significant 45% of entrepreneurs interviewed state that they devote a high level of attention to the ecological transition and some 41% a quite good one. As little as a 14% minority admit having an inadequate level of attention. Also, a significant request for greater information clearly emerges, as the 60% of entrepreneurs interviewed have a general level of information and the 5% a lacking one; only 35% of entrepreneurs interviewed believe that they have a good level of knowledge.

With reference to the implementation of typical ecological transition measures, according to Italian companies, a good level has been reached: 55% of companies have already adopted measures for a more efficient use of energy and water, while 49% have implemented measures to reduce and recycle waste. Some, not a high number but still a significant one (40% on average), have planned or are evaluating additional initiatives: the employment of renewable energy (34%), a reduction in GHG emissions (21%), a high ecological quality of products and processes (22%). However, a small share of entrepreneurs is implementing a communication strategy for ecological transition measures (14%) or have planned to do so (18%). Such data apparently shows that companies implementing ecological transition measures are a higher number than those communicating it.

According to ISPRA – Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) estimates, in 2021, during the economic recovery, GHG emissions in Italy started increasing again by 6.8%, voiding most of the 2020 decrease due to the pandemic: an increase greater than the European one (6%). The path towards climate neutrality, despite being an obligation for European countries set out in Regulation n. 1119 of 30 June 2019, is not clearly outlined. A climate law is still to be adopted and the involvement of cities is still limited, despite the key role that they are supposed to play, very few of them set such a target.

The Geography of the Italian Green Economy

The geographical distribution of the companies that have chosen to invest in green technologies and products in the period considered by the analysis, with certain data up to 2020, sees Lombardy in the lead, with more than 90 thousand companies in this sector (17% of the national total). The most active regions also include Veneto (51,780 units), Lazio (49,510 units), Campania (around 46 thousand units) and Emilia-Romagna (41,850 units). At a provincial level, Rome holds the record for the first time (37,290 units, accounting for 38% of the area’s companies), followed by Milan (30,800 companies, accounting for 33.8% of the Milanese business world). Looking at the different business sectors, the report highlights how the Italian agri-food chain has become the European organic leader, with a 17.4% incidence on the utilized agricultural area (2021). The drive for sustainability is also very strong in the building industry, where state bonuses and tax incentives have led to a 25% increase in upgrading investments. The home-furnishing supply chain is also doing well: 95% of wood is recycled to produce furniture panels, while 67% of companies use secondary raw materials and 81% sustainably produced wood.

As far as our Region is concerned, since 2005, Tuscany has started a path of eco-efficiency aimed at tackling global changes, starting by acknowledging and rewarding the virtuous behavior of citizens, businesses, institutions and associations. Tuscany was among the first regions in Italy to feel the need for a green economy. An important part of the green economy concerns the agricultural world. Agriculture is being called upon to make an important effort in product and process innovation, while at the same time importing the logic of sustainability into all its activities. Funding for agriculture is in fact an important part of the POR CREO ERDF programme.

The green economy’s impact on employment

At the end of 2021, there were 3,095,800 people employed in green economy occupations, or 13.7% of total employment. Breaking down the figure by geographical area, the North-West (1,017,800 units) leads the way, followed by the North-East (741,200 units), the South (687,900 units) and the Centre (648,800 units).

In 2021, 33 GREEN JOB projects for young people were funded. The GREEN JOB projects enable unemployed or inactive persons to attend free training courses to obtain a skills certificate in the field of sustainable economy, linked to the development of specific strategies to protect the environment through the use of renewable energy, the reduction of consumption and recycling of waste, the transition from a linear economy model to a circular economy model, considering the life cycle of a product and its various phases, in an integrated manner and minimizing waste as much as possible.

Greece

Green Economy and Green Entrepreneurship in Greece have seen a significant growth over the past few years. According to a study published by the European Commission in 2018, Greece is one of the leading countries in the European Union when it comes to green energy production and green entrepreneurial activities.

In terms of green energy production, Greece has achieved significant progress. The country has been investing significantly in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, having the fourth highest renewable energy share in the European Union. Furthermore, with the introduction of the legal framework of the Renewable Energy Sources Sector and the introduction of the Feed-In Tariff system in 2008, Greece has shown significant progress in energy production.

The National Plan for Energy and Climate Change (NPECC) of 2019 serves as the fundamental framework for driving policy development, investments in green services and technologies, and providing a roadmap for green entrepreneurship to thrive in Greece. While the plan includes the implementation of energy efficiency systems and the expansion of renewable energy sources, it also provides support to small businesses wishing to introduce green economic and environmental improvements. This in turn, has resulted in an increase of green startups, with a focus on areas such as green buildings and facilities, energy efficiency and renewable energy production, smart cities and green transportation, ICT and digital infrastructure, waste management and reuse, sustainable consumption and production and green tourism.

With regard to green entrepreneurship, Greece has witnessed an increase in green business activities, as well as an increase in the number of green initiatives at the local level. One of the key drivers of this shift is the implementation of the “National strategy for green entrepreneurship” in 2018, which was designed to promote the use of renewable energy sources and green technologies in the country’s businesses. Greek businesses have also increasingly benefited from the implementation of fiscal incentives for environmental sustainability.

The investment incentives announced by the European Investment Bank in 2018, focus on initiatives that foster the green transition of Greek enterprises. Through the Investment Plan for Europe, Greek businesses can access subsidies and loan financing of up to €25 billion, with a particular focus on clean energy, transport and digitalizing the economy businesses.

The Green Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), launched in 2017 with funding from the H2020 program, aims to create an innovative business model for Greek green businesses by connecting entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers for exchange, providing holistic support and training to green entrepreneurs of all ages.

The government of Greece has also implemented various programmes to support green entrepreneurship in the country. These include the European Union Horizon 2020 Program, which funds innovative cross-disciplinary and citizen-centred research aimed at addressing societal challenges; the European Programing Period 2021-2027 for the Development of Greece, which provides support for the green economy and green entrepreneurship through investments in technologies and services; the National Programme for Sustainable Development, which focuses on promoting a sustainable growth model, and has funded investments in green economy initiatives totaling over €1 billion.

Finally, the Greek Ministry for the Environment and Energy is collaborating with numerous international, European, national and regional organizations, such as the European Climate Initiative, the European Regional Development Fund, the Erasmus+ Program, and other similar initiatives, to support the development of green initiatives, such as green startups and green businesses in Greece.

Overall, Greece is taking important steps to promote green economy and green entrepreneurship. There is an increasing investment in the green sector, which can provide incentives to companies to adopt greener practices, as well as support and create networks for green business.

Poland

Polish statisticians have attempted to adapt the definition of the green economy to Polish conditions. They called the green economy one in which economic growth and development takes place while maintaining access to natural capital and ecosystem services on which human well-being depends.

Poland, while taking diverse measures to protect the environment, is trying to move towards greening the economy and achieving sustainable development. The progress of these activities should be subject to continuous monitoring, for which indicators included in four thematic areas can be used: natural capital, environmental production efficiency, environmental quality of life of the population, and economic policies and their consequences.

Indicators from the last few years in the field of environmental production efficiency, presenting the efficiency of the use of natural resources in economic processes, indicate that in many areas there is a reduction or even a complete break in the relationship between economic growth and pressure on the environment. This phenomenon should be evaluated positively. Ecological agriculture is one of the activities conducive to the realization of the development of the green economy in Poland. More and more farms are switching to more ecological farming. In recent years there has been a big increase in the development of this type of agriculture.

Going with the current trend now silent around the world, green jobs are gradually displacing positions related to polluting activities. Statistics show that Poland had 16.4 million people working in 2020, with about 6.4 million of them occupying green jobs directly or indirectly related to the green transition. There is also an increase in demand for specialists and new occupations related to the green economy, such as green transformation leader, decarbonisation specialist, ESG manager.

The Polish economy is also implementing solutions that fit into the concept of the European Green Deal. Among the most interesting projects that already fit into the idea of the European Green Deal are, for example, air quality monitoring and forecasting systems, molecular tests to minimize chemical spraying, mobile waste processing lines to avoid human contact with hazardous substances, or modern electric city vehicles. Despite the implementation of all these innovative solutions, Poland is one of the countries with the lowest eco-innovation index among EU countries. In 2019, it was ranked 24th among the 28 EU countries.

Polish entrepreneurs are supported in the green transition through various types of subsidies, primarily those from the European Union. In Polish companies, start-ups, clusters and local governments there is a huge potential to create and absorb innovative, pro-environmental solutions that are part of the European Green Deal.

In the new 2021-2027 perspective, the Polish Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy is expanding the already existing offer of support for greening the economy with new elements. This includes the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) program, which mainly benefits entrepreneurs. In the mentioned program, such projects will be implemented as:

providing funds for green technologies and research and development activities,
strengthening the green competencies of business personnel in eco-design, for example,
launching a green path in technology credit, as well as in development programs (of the Scale up green type), in which startups will provide larger entrepreneurs with solutions to their pro-environmental development needs,
supporting and conducting environmental assessments of a product’s environmental footprint and life cycle, as well as promoting the Environmental Technology Verification certificate, which is an objective verification of the environmental impact of technologies under development.

It is also worth mentioning that Poland has the Green Technology Accelerator (GreenEvo), an innovative program of the Ministry of Climate and Environment to support the development of the environmental technology sector offered by Polish entrepreneurs and to promote green technologies domestically and abroad. Its primary objective is to create conditions for environmental improvement by supporting the activities of participants and disseminating environmentally friendly technologies offered by project winners at national and international level.

Romania

Romania has made significant progress in recent years towards building a green economy and supporting green entrepreneurship. The country faces a range of environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and inefficient use of resources, but there are also opportunities for growth and development in green sectors. As a result, Romania aligned its objectives for the long-term with the EU policies, strategies, proposals and programmes.

First of all, it created the national framework for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As a result, the country started to design measures for its people, planet and prosperity. According to Romania’s SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Strategy 2030, the target proposed by Romania for 2030, as a member of the European Union, is to halve food waste per capita at the retail and consumption level and to reduce food losses in the production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

In 2019, Romania launched its National Plan for Energy and Climate, which sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency. The plan includes measures to promote the use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and to improve energy efficiency in buildings, industry, and transport. Another initiative is the Romanian Environmental Fund, which provides funding for environmental projects, including those related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste management. The fund also provides support for green entrepreneurship, including grants and loans for start-ups in the green economy.

Green entrepreneurship in Romania covers a range of sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and green technology. There are also opportunities for growth in circular economy models, which prioritize the reuse and recycling of materials, as well as in social enterprises that prioritize social and environmental impact. Romania has introduced various policies and initiatives to promote the growth of green entrepreneurship. In 2018, the government launched the Green Start program, which provides funding and support for start-ups in the green economy. The program focuses on sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and eco-tourism. Since 2018, the National Strategy for Green Jobs 2018-2025 was approved in Romania. The plan has set three specific objectives: stimulate entrepreneurship and create green jobs, develop skills for the workforce in order to help citizens increase their employment chances in the competitive sectors and stimulate employers generate green jobs, strengthen cooperation and dialogues with relevant stakeholders from diverse sectors in order to create green jobs (https://business-review.eu/business/romanian-government-approves-green-jobs-strategy-for-2018-2025-179199).

The growth of green entrepreneurship in Romania is also supported by the emergence of incubators and accelerators that focus on green start-ups. For example, the Impact Hub Bucharest supports social and environmental entrepreneurship, while the GreenHUB accelerator focuses on start-ups in the green economy. Thanks to the funding received from programmes, such as Erasmus+, Horizon, these organizations are able to educate the Romanian population about contemporary developments of green economy and entrepreneurship and can form a network of stakeholders and partners experienced and interested in the topics. In addition, the government could create more programmes that support green entrepreneurs. The institutions can collaborate with VET organizations in order to develop pilot programmes to educate entrepreneurs (new, rural, and experienced) about introducing green solutions in their companies, businesses, start-ups.

Overall, while Romania faces environmental challenges, there are also opportunities for growth and development in the green economy and green entrepreneurship sectors. By promoting sustainable development and supporting innovative solutions to environmental challenges, Romania can contribute to the global effort to address climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

Spain

Spain has made significant strides in promoting green economy and green entrepreneurship in recent years. The country has been committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development, which has led to the implementation of various policies and initiatives.

One of the significant developments in green economy in Spain is the adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The NECP sets out the country’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, and improving energy efficiency. The plan also includes measures to promote innovation, research, and development in the energy sector, such as the establishment of a new fund to support renewable energy projects.

Spain has also been making significant progress in the development of green entrepreneurship. The country has seen an increase in the number of start-ups focused on developing innovative and sustainable solutions. One example is the solar panel company, Solaria, which has become one of the leading companies in the renewable energy sector in Spain.

In addition, the Spanish government has been promoting green entrepreneurship through various initiatives, such as the Green Entrepreneurship Program. The program aims to provide support to entrepreneurs in the green economy sector by offering training, mentoring, and funding opportunities.

Another significant development in Spain’s green economy is the circular economy. The circular economy aims to reduce waste and promote resource efficiency by designing products that can be reused, repaired, or recycled. Spain has been implementing various policies to promote the circular economy, such as the establishment of a circular economy strategy and the development of a circular economy law.

Overall, Spain has made significant progress in promoting green economy and green entrepreneurship. The country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development has led to the implementation of various policies and initiatives. With continued efforts, Spain can continue to be a leader in promoting sustainable development and green entrepreneurship.