The Implementation of the European Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) in German SMEs and its Implication on Environmental-Innovation-Activities

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Methodology
• EU-ETS
  • Theoretical background: Implementation and development of the EU-ETS
    • Phase I
    • Phase II
    • Phase III
  • Political asymmetry and carbon leakage
• Status quo of the EU-ETS
• SMEs in the German economy
  • Adaption of the EU-ETS within German SMEs
  • Environmental-innovation-activities
    • Short-term impacts of eco-innovation-activities
    • Long-term impacts of eco-innovation-activities
• Porter hypothesis
  • Porter hypothesis within the EU-ETS
  • Criticism on Porters' hypothesis
• Further research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis examines the implementation of the European Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) within German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investigates the resulting impacts on environmental innovation activities. The study aims to understand how SMEs adapt to the regulatory requirements of the EU-ETS and explore the potential for innovation in pollution-reducing measures.

• The implementation of the EU-ETS within German SMEs
• The impact of the EU-ETS on environmental innovation activities in SMEs
• The role of the Porter hypothesis in the context of the EU-ETS
• The importance of SMEs for the German economy
• The potential for synergy between environmental protection and innovation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the EU-ETS and its significance for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also highlights the importance of SMEs in the German economy and the need to understand their role in implementing the EU-ETS.

The methodology chapter outlines the research approach used in the study. It explains the data sources, research methods, and analytical framework employed.

The EU-ETS chapter delves into the theoretical background of the scheme, covering its implementation and development across different phases. It also discusses the challenges of political asymmetry and carbon leakage.

The status quo of the EU-ETS chapter analyzes the current state of the scheme, examining its effectiveness and limitations.

The SMEs in the German economy chapter explores the characteristics and role of SMEs in the German economy. It then focuses on how SMEs are adapting to the EU-ETS and the implications for their environmental innovation activities.

The Porter hypothesis chapter examines the potential for the EU-ETS to stimulate innovation and economic growth, exploring both the theoretical framework and criticisms of the hypothesis.

The further research chapter outlines potential areas for future research in this field.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and concepts explored in this thesis include the European Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), environmental innovation, pollution reduction, greenhouse gas emissions, the Porter hypothesis, and the German economy.