3-CO Interview Series with Nelo Emerencia (Emerencia Consulting) on the crucial impact of social innovation on the uptake of innovative products and processes

The 3-CO interview series features consortium and external-advisory-board members of the 3-CO project. This episode features Nelo Emerecia, Director Human Capital & Stakeholder Relations for the Bio-based Industries Consortium and Owner.In today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation is often synonymous with technological advancements and cutting-edge products. However, there is a crucial aspect of innovation that focuses on societal impact and human well-being and that can significantly foster the uptake of innovative products and processes: social innovation. Defined as the development and implementation of new solutions to address pressing social needs and challenges, social innovation can transform the way societies tackle issues ranging from healthcare and education to environmental sustainability and social equity. Consumers play an essential role in the successful transition to a circular bio-based economy. To make informed and conscious buying decisions, consumers rely on labels and certification schemes (LCS). The 3-CO project will support consumers’ purchasing decisions towards more sustainable solutions by improving the communication of LCS on a Business-to-Consumers (B2C) level. To unlock the full potential of the bioeconomy and industrial bio-based products (BBPs) 3-CO will establish a supportive framework and develop actionable guidelines for LCS owners that reflect consumers’ and other stakeholders’ needs. Meanwhile intense consumer involvement and digital tools will demonstrate their viability.