This is one of several actions in a new innovation policy framework unveiled by the EU executive in Brussels as part of the EU 2020 strategy. There was previous uncertainty over whether ETAP would continue in its current form or be merged into a broader plan.

The objectives of the eco-innovation plan will go beyond ETAP's remit, which is to facilitate the development and uptake of environmental technologies. Next year's plan will help deliver wider goals such as sustainable consumption and production, said an official.

It will focus on "specific bottlenecks, challenges and opportunities for achieving environmental objectives through innovation", according to Wednesday's Innovation Union initiative. In 2011, the initiative foresees a review of rules in policy areas related to eco-innovation with a view to update them or adopt new ones.

Member states and regions should also set specific budgets for the procurement of products in areas such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, says the commission. This should create procurement markets for innovative products across Europe with a total value of at least €10bn annually, it adds.

The initiative also foresees the launch of European Innovation Partnerships to achieve technological breakthroughs in areas such as greener raw materials and waste recycling. Preparatory work on several of these partnerships is already under way.

The commission sees eco-innovation as key to keep Europe in the lead in the increasingly competitive clean technology market. In a recent interview with ENDS, climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard said a 30% carbon reduction target would be a major driver of innovation in this area.

A study whose findings were presented on Wednesday has found that achieving the 2020 strategy's goal of increasing R&D investment to 3% of the EU's GDP would help create 3.7 million jobs and increase annual GDP by up to €795bn by 2025. Stopping R&D programmes will cost at least 0.7% of GDP each year.