Conceptualising “coupling” for sustainability implementation in the industrial sector: a review of the field and projection of future research opportunities

Kunz, Nadja C.; Moran, Chris; Kastelle, Tim

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.03.040

Cited by 46 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Europe has begun to become aware of the urgent need for a change of direction, and the "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe" has been initiated towards a greener economy heading for lower environmental impacts, while keeping a high standard of living as well as economic competitiveness [1]. In order to meet the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of future generations, the manufacturing industry, as one of the main resource consumers (European Parliament 2012), plays a key role [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Eco-Efficiency through Waste Reduction beyond the Boundaries of a Firm: Evidence from a Multiplant Case in the Ceramic Industry

2018

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Abstract:To pursue eco-efficiency, one of the most important principles is the sustainable use of resources. The challenge in resource use improvement lies in a clear assessment of resource utilization. However, this evaluation is currently performed within the scope of a company and such an approach is not sustainable anymore in a world with increasingly complex production systems. This paper provides a decision support system (DSS) to disclose where wastes absorb resource capacity of a whole production system beyond the boundaries of a firm. In this way, an intervention priority plan can be established to effectively improve the eco-efficiency of production systems by considering interactions among players of a multiplant or supply chain context. An implementation of the DSS is proposed for the ceramic industry to test it and explore the potential benefits. Results confirm that the DSS can effectively enable different actors to understand how significant inter-firm saving opportunities can be identified.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Eco-Efficiency through Waste Reduction beyond the Boundaries of a Firm: Evidence from a Multiplant Case in the Ceramic Industry

2018

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“…Tools such as SD, multi-criteria analysis, risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment, allow supporting decision making in sustainability assessment and have the potential to analyze the industryecosystem relations, although these tools are not only used for industrial purposes. Thus, the characteristics that a tool must have to evaluate the environmental impact from companies are the following [3,8,11]:…”

Section: Tools For Industrial Sustainability Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From this perspective, society, government institutions, and the industrial sector play crucial roles [2]. However, as regards industries, they are prominent actors because of three reasons [3]. First, as producers of goods and services, they are fundamental to satisfy the needs of both actual and future generations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the literature, the major progresses in industrial sustainable development have been achieved through eco-efficiency based tools [11,12]. Unfortunately, these eco-efficiency based tools do not seem to provide positive results, since strategies employed merely evaluate parameters inside the company and do not consider the impact caused beyond the operational limits [3]. This implies that new approaches must be developed, and they must allow for a systemic analysis to measure the effectiveness of solutions proposed [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Systemic Conceptual Model to Support Decision-Making in the Sustainability Assessment of Industrial Ecosystems

Mota-López¹,

Sánchez-Ramírez²,

Alor-Hernández³

et al. 2017

RCS

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One of the main challenges for companies is to operate in a sustainable way, that is, by protecting the ecosystems where they are located. As a result of such a challenge, different tools and models have been developed to assess their environmental impact and to help decision makers to define strategies to become more sustainable. However, most of these tools have concentrated on the internal parameters of the companies and have failed to assess the actual impact caused on the ecosystem. Therefore, this article proposes a conceptual model to analyze the environmental risks from companies and evaluate their impact on their ecosystems. Results obtained are: 1) a methodology to assess environmental risks and their impact on the environment and 2) a causal loop diagram that identifies the relationships between the industries and its environment, showing that the company's production rate is the key variable, since it determines the amount of both resources consumed and pollutants emitted, so its balance must be achieved in order to preserve the environment, which, otherwise, will collapse.

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“…Define System Boundary A system boundary must first be defined wherein water management efforts are to be focussed. This boundary should consider both physical and human dimensions because both are important for progressing towards sustainability (Kunz et al, 2013).…”

Section: Towards a Framework For Sharing Water Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sharing the benefits from water as a new approach to regional water targets for mining companies

Kunz

Moran

2014

Journal of Cleaner Production

Self Cite

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Abstract:Most major mining companies have articulated strategies and targets to minimise the impacts of operations on surface and groundwater resources. However, the focus tends to be on mitigating negative impacts. In this field note, we make two contributions to assist mining sites in playing a positive role in implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) aspirations. First, we introduce the notion of "water benefits" as a pathway for operationalizing regional IWRM objectives at a mine site level. Second, we propose a decision making framework to facilitate investment in water benefits. The framework comprises of five steps: (1) Select system boundary wherein benefits are to be delivered; (2) Quantify water availability; (3) Determine potential benefits; (4) Identify acceptable benefits; and (5) Implementation and monitoring. For a site to deliver water benefits that extend beyond the legal obligation of the company, we contend that there must be a sound business case. We therefore distinguish between steps that should be decided by the business (steps 1, 2 and 4) from those that should be completed in collaboration with the broader community (steps 3 and 5).Within this field note we do not test the practical utility of the framework in an empirical setting and as such it is not intended to be prescriptive. Rather, we seek to provide a foundation for scholarly/industry debate about how decision makers at a mine site level could take a more active role in contributing towards IWRM aspirations. We conclude that a "water benefits" perspective offers a novel basis for establishing regional water targets and could serve numerous advantages at a site-level including improved recognition about the value of water and improved understanding and mitigation of strategic water-related risks.

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Conceptualising “coupling” for sustainability implementation in the industrial sector: a review of the field and projection of future research opportunities

Cited by 46 publications

References 112 publications

Improving Eco-Efficiency through Waste Reduction beyond the Boundaries of a Firm: Evidence from a Multiplant Case in the Ceramic Industry

Improving Eco-Efficiency through Waste Reduction beyond the Boundaries of a Firm: Evidence from a Multiplant Case in the Ceramic Industry

A Systemic Conceptual Model to Support Decision-Making in the Sustainability Assessment of Industrial Ecosystems

Sharing the benefits from water as a new approach to regional water targets for mining companies

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