Asier Albizu, CEO of Biolan, a company that makes health diagnostic systems; Alejandro Martínez, Health and Sustainability director at Eroski and General Manager of the Eroski Foundation; and Yolanda Fernández, Environment, Sustainability, Innovation and Climate Change manager at EDP were at the event.

The manager of the publicly-owned company Ihobe said that “eco-innovation encompasses all forms of innovation - both technological and non-technological - that create business opportunities and benefit the environment, preventing and reducing their impact or optimising the use of resources. In other words, any form of innovation that represents important progress towards the objective of sustainable development”.

Eco-innovation - said Alex Boto - is also an opportunity for companies, because it helps to reduce costs, attracts new opportunities for growth and consolidates companies’ images in the minds of their customers.

During the panel discussion, there was a debate on driving instruments and regulations established by the European Commission that are helping to speed up eco-innovation in companies, among other matters.

About the congress

The 2nd International Innovation Congress which is being held at the BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre) of Barakaldo offers a 360º view of innovation in organisations for understanding the effects of taking up the challenge of innovation and change of mentality that this implies.

The meeting will be attended by more than 30 directors and professionals from the main Basque and Spanish companies, who will share their view and experience related to innovation, advising on how to encourage it in organisations.

The “2nd International Innovation Congress - in the corridors of innovation. The impact of transversal innovation in the culture of organisations" by APD is supported by the following collaborations: Gold collaboration with FI Group, Indeed and Lantik; Silver collaboration with Adecco, Aon, BBK Kuna, Bilbao City Hall, Biscayne Regional Council, GMV, HP INTEL, HSI, the publicly-owned company Ihobe, KPMG, Microsoft, SPRI and Vodafone; and room collaboration with Asseco, CYC, Prodware, RED HAT INTEL and UST.