Research database

Taking as a reference the regional data, based on ISTAT data, processed in order to verify the positioning of the territorial area of reference on the basis of the 17 goals of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations, important potentiality emerges in terms of sustainability (such as the intensity of research) that, however, do not translate uniformly on the side of environmental quality and economic performance (e.g. modest growth of GDP per person employed, modest income growth for the poorest segments of the population, high PM10 pollution and low air quality, water and land contamination, public bodies still impermeable to environmental budgets, etc.). The green and digital transition requires a high and challenging mobilization of resources and skills. It is necessary, therefore, the concentration of resources and investments towards the objectives of sustainability and a high critical mass, achievable only through a synergic action between public and private, including banking and finance. As a matter of fact, the resources allocated to technological advancement are used very well and the efficiency index is high (Italian data: for every kilo of resource consumed, 3.5 euros of GDP are generated, against a European average of 2.24). However, the territory is penalized by the scarcity of investments, which implies a lack of eco-innovation. In this context, regional and national policies in favor of innovation and entrepreneurship are an important element of positive socio-economic development dynamics at regional and local level, as also foreseen by the National Strategy on the Bioeconomy, which emphasizes the importance of research and innovation to increase productivity, product quality and sustainability of each sector that makes up the bioeconomy. The research and innovation system has been analyzed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developmen (OECD), and what emerges from OECD'sDevelopmen (OECD), and what emerges from OECD's survey contains undisputed strengths and areas where improvement is needed. Piemonte, for example, has a particularly positive performance in terms of private investment in research and development, which in 2018 represented 2.2% of the regional gross domestic product and 80% of total investment in the specific sector. Although, therefore, the potential for innovation in businesses is strong, stronger systemic action by the Regions is needed to fully unfold. The recommendations proposed by the OECD have already been incorporated into the revision of the different S3 - Smart Specialization Strategy and will be a source of inspiration for their implementation throughout the 2021-27 programming period.