Drivers to increase eco-efficiencies in Uruguay, Peru, and Panama

Scarce evidence postulates the drivers of eco-innovation in Latin American Countries. This paper aims to contribute empirically to the literature on drivers of eco-efficiencies in this region. We use the last year available in the new LAIS dataset -Latin American Innovation Survey- and apply multivariate probit models. Results show that drivers in this region can be divided into three groups: common, frequent, and occasional. The first one includes market and regulatory factors which affect the three countries; frequent drivers are some technological push drivers whose influence is substantial although only in some countries; and the last one refers to those drivers that have a sporadic effect on eco-efficiencies, such as training and cooperation. Differences also are found distinguishing by type of innovation -product and process, radical and incremental- and by efficiencies -energy, material, and environmental-. •Drivers of energy, material, and environmental eco-efficiencies are analysed.•Evidence is added to drivers in middle economies: Uruguay, Peru, and Panama.•Results show different patterns of drivers: common, frequent, and occasional.•Differences are found disaggregating by types of innovation and efficiencies.•Policymakers should coordinate energy, environment, and innovation policies.