Eco-Design- New Perspectives for Sustainable Business Models

Vania Ivanova
University of National and World Economy, Sofia

Abstract

The need for an ecological transformation of economies, imposed by the increasingly serious challenges of sustainable development, the desire to achieve the SDGs, the COP21 agreements and the ambitious goals of the European Green Pact, brings to the agenda the question of a radical change in the business models of firms. The adoption of the concept of eco-design is an integral part of this transformation.The aim of this paper is to analyse the readiness of the Bulgarian industry to make a serious step towards sustainable, green, resource-efficient and environmentally friendly production models, which will allow drawing adequate conclusions on the degree of implementation of the principles of environmentally friendly production at the industry level, and also within the Bulgarian economy as a whole. The findings show a certain underestimation, delay and a certain lack of awareness in some of the surveyed companies regarding the possibilities of eco-design. This also raises the question of rethinking the policy in the field of eco-standards and in general intensifying incentive macroeconomic policies to accelerate the ecological transition. Keywords: eco-design, sustainable development, circular economy, eco-standards, European Green Deal

Presentation