Eco-efficiency is reached by the delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life cycle, to a level at least in line with the earth's estimated carrying capacity. There are seven elements of eco-efficiency: reducing the material requirements for goods and services; reducing the energy intensity of goods and services; reducing toxic dispersion; enhancing material recyclability; maximizing sustainable use of renewable resources; extending product durability; and increasing the service intensity of goods and services. (Source: World Business Council on Sustainable Development)
is achievable by the delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout its life cycle to a level at least in line with the Earth's estimated carrying capacity. It simply means "doing more with less". Eco-efficiency is not the same as sustainability as it incorporates only the environmental and economic aspects of sustainability, not the social aspect. Cleaner production can be a part of eco-efficiency (adapted from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Ecosteps websites).
Producers of goods and services should produce competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and improve quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological degradation and resource intensity throughout the full lifecycle to a level consistent with the sustainability of biodiversity and ecological systems.
Maximizing efficiency of production processes while minimizing impact on the environment. Eco-efficiency can be achieved by using new technology, using fewer inputs per unit of product such as energy and water, recycling more and reducing toxic emissions. In summary doing more with less.
Eco-efficiency is a notion designating products or services characterized by a better ratio between a material and its use (less material input per functional unit supplied). The OECD defines eco-efficiency as the efficiency with which ecological resources are used to meet the needs of human beings. Here, it corresponds to the concept of productivity applied to resources.
The combination of efficiency and ecological aspects in the pursuit of sustainable development. An environmental management program is an instrument for achieving eco-efficiency.
A term that links business resource efficiency to environmental responsibility through more sustainable processes and products - the 'eco' refers to both 'economic' and 'ecology'.
generally understood as concept to decouple the use of natural resources such as raw materials, water etc. from economic activities. Various approaches and tools have been developed, among them cleaner production and resource efficiency.
Eco-efficiency stands for productivity of natural resources; it is enhanced when a product or a service is produced with decreased utilization of natural resources.
Eco-efficiency refers to the volume of business activity per unit of environmental impact. It is a guideline for reducing environmental impact through improvements in technology and economic efficiency. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) proposed this approach in 1992. Generally, eco-efficiency is calculated by comparing a company’s business activities, such as sales and operating income, to the environmental impact of emissions related to its business, such as the volume of CO. Watching year-on-year changes of eco-efficiency provides the basis for the company to achieve both its economic and environmental performance goals. Back to glossary index
Eco-efficiency describes the direct financial gains experienced from adopting an environmental strategy. At its heart, environmentalism is about wise use of resources, and many companies that incorporate environmentalism into their business strategy experience financial benefits derived from lower resource consumption and waste disposal costs.
A term developed by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. Eco-efficiency is reached by the delivery of competitively-priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life cycle, to a level at least in line with the earth's estimated carrying capacity.
This means choosing the method for production, service, disposal or recovery that makes most ecological and economic sense, ensuring optimum conservation of resources, minimum emissions and waste and low overall costs. In summary: doing more with less.
Eco-efficiency includes reducing material and energy inputs to goods and services, reducing toxic dispersion, enhancing recyclability, maximising use of renewable resources, and enhancing material durability.
The term eco-efficiency was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication "Changing Course". It is based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution.