Industrial Ecology in Developing Countries

Abstract

Sustainable development is not a simple, singular and well-tested path. It needs an interdisciplinary examination of resource use patterns, ecological heritage, demographics and cultural values. Industrial ecology, owing to its emphasis on using a holistic approach, can provide a valuable platform to draw out sustainable strategies and policies for developing countries to implement. It can offer a paradigm within which IE methods and tools can inform responses to local development challenges. Within this paradigm, sustainable industrial, rural and urban development strategies and policies in developing countries should follow from IE research and analyses.A SWOT analysis of IE in developing countries highlights strengths of high economic growth and threats from outdated policies and inadequate industrial ecology awareness in the policy making and governing spheres. Examination of the IPAT equation in the context of developing countries highlights the role that new technological hubs such as China and India can play, the signifi cance of increasing affl uence among "new consumers" in the developing world and the role of population in managing resources sustainably.Research in IE since its introduction to the global south around the mid-1990s has primarily focused on two concepts of IE -cleaner production and eco-industrial parks -largely due to the impetus of development organizations. Other studies using the IE lens and tools have shown the potential of the IE paradigm in developing countries. These studies have highlighted the importance of focussing on scarce resources such as water, examining the possibilities of using well-tested technologies and evaluating the long-term maintenance of new technologies and practices before recommending their implementation. New policies in the developing world can gain from the IE community in terms of assistance in simplifying and downsizing data requirements, application of solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges and framing effective policies based on IE concepts.

Barriers to effective circular supply chain management in a developing country context

“…In addition, some Indian organisations, which have adopted novel housekeeping practices, process orientation, or 5S and supplier engagement, are those, which are on the threshold of a CE/CSC initiatives (Ashton and Shenoy, 2015). However, it is surprising that very limited industries in India are seeking for true circularization of its business (Shenoy, 2016). It is because of the reason that implementing the concepts of CSCM is associated with several challenges to both business organisations as well as customers (Geng and Doberstein, 2008;Zhu et al, 2010;Dora et al, 2016;Nasir et al, 2017).…”

How the Triple-Helix Model of Innovation is changing the Indian COVID-19 Fight?

“…The above case study distinctly demonstrates the foundations of research put into practice via Triple Helix innovation model [17].…”

Chronological change of resource metabolism and decarbonization patterns in Pakistan: Perspectives from a typical developing country

“…This means that developing countries such as Pakistan will initially be less motivated to invest in environmental enforcement, but as the economy progresses, environmental compliance could be strengthened. This is particularly reflected by the “pollute now and clean up later” approach in most developing economies (Chiu & Yong, 2004; Shenoy, 2015) even if environmental consequences become significantly expensive later on. This phenomenon is quite similar to what environmental Kuznets curve theorizes (Kuznets, 1995) and appears greatly applicable to Pakistan.…”