Dr. Fernando J. Díaz López

Netherlands Organisation for applied Scientific Research (TNO) - Netherlands

Dr Fernando J. Diaz Lopez works at the Netherlands Organisation for applied Scientific Research TNO. Fernando is a senior advisor and programme manager for TNO Caribbean in field of innovation for green and inclusive economies and industries. He currently supports the Director of TNO-Caribbean in the management and implementation of the Sustainability and Innovation programme for Latin America and the Caribbean.

A Mexican national, Fernando holds a PhD in international development (University of East Anglia, UK), a MPhil in economics and management of innovation (Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico) and a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering (Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Mexico). Fernando is member of the Mexican System of Researchers from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) and associate professor extraordinary in sustainability systems by the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. He is also president of the board of Causa Natura, a Mexican think-thank working on policies for the conservation of natural resources (forestry and oceans).

For nearly 15 years he has provided advise on sustainability, eco-innovation, clean technologies and green economy to the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Dutch Government, the Basque Government and the Mexican Senate. Fernando has authored nearly 90 publications and has been involved in nearly 20 innovation and sustainability studies for the European Commission, National Governments and private companies. His forthcoming book ‘Eco-innovation in Firms’ is called to be a key contribution to the field. Some flagship projects include those for the European Competitiveness report on Key Enabling Technologies, the Europe Innova’s Sectoral Innovation Watch on ‘Potential for Eco-Innovation’, Eco-innovation studies for the Basque Country and the FP&-funded EMININN and POLFREE projects, etc. He is currently developing a number of initiatives on eco-innovation, circular economy, bioeconomy and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the period 2013-2015 he was the conceptual advisor for the UNEP/UNIDO project on ‘eco-innovation and resource efficiency for SMEs in developing countries and economies in
transition’. In the year 2012 Fernando received the “National Award for Social Sciences and Public Opinion Research – runner up” from the General Congress of Mexico for his contributions to the field of green economy.

He currently coordinates TNO’s work in the ELAN network, an
European Commission’s funded knowledge and innovation transfer project for Colombia, Chile, México, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Costa Rica. Fernando co-chairs the Global Network
of Innovation for Sustainable Development together with Dr. Carlos Montalvo. This is a project funded by the European Comissions H2020 programme of research.

[ELAN Network]

[Inno4SD]

[Premio Nacional Investigacion 2011]