The global shift towards sustainability has placed green transition at the forefront of the European agenda. In an era where the pursuit of environmentally friendly and resource-efficient solutions is becoming increasingly urgent, green technologies play a crucial role in sustainable economic growth. Promoting sustainable innovations is not only a key factor in the global race for clean technologies but also a significant driver of long-term economic stability and competitiveness. Economies that invest in green technologies secure crucial advantages in the global innovation competition, laying the foundation for sustainable growth. This is further confirmed in the recently published Draghi Report on European Competitiveness, which highlights the importance of clean and sustainable technologies for decarbonization in closing the European innovation gap.

This paper starts by examining the significance of the environmental economy for Austria using various indicators and rankings. It reveals not only a steadily growing trend in key macroeconomic factors such as value creation, employment, and exports, but also that the environmental economy appears to be less susceptible to economic fluctuations. Austria’s performance in international rankings related to innovation and intellectual property is rather mixed when it comes to indicators of ecological sustainability: while there are specialization advantages in some areas, there is a need for improvement in others.

Ecologically sustainable products and services are also relevant to brands and trademarks. Chapter 3 discusses the development of so-called ‘green trademarks’ as well as recent trends, counter-trends, and new EU regulations affecting trademark areas. 

The main part of this analysis paper focuses on green, i.e., clean and sustainable, patent applications, examining them from various perspectives. The focus here is particularly on Austria’s innovation capacity in a global context and on technology sectors that are currently experiencing the most growth, where Austria demonstrates considerable potential in the international competition. Additionally, recently published data from the European Patent Office is used to highlight the role of universities and their invention activities in the field of clean and sustainable technologies. 

Finally, the paper addresses the initiatives and projects of the Austrian Patent Office, which has set its focus on green and digital transformation for the year 2024.