Integrating eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness into the design of sustainable industrial systems in China

Abstract

As an important tool for environment management, eco-efficiency has been widely applied, but eco-effectiveness has only made progress on eco-design and life cycle management in recent years. Few have attempted to integrate eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness into sustainable industrial systems. In a new framework integrating eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness, both concepts can find unique roles and complement each other in industrial ecosystems to dissolve conflicts between industry and the environment. This article provides a case study of China in which eco-efficiency indicators (energy, water and waste utilisation intensity) have demonstrated great progress in China, but eco-efficiency cannot stop the increasing release of pollutants and their accumulating impact on ecological life-support systems. China must integrate eco-effectiveness and eco-efficiency into concrete sustainable development strategies, questioning whether limited resources are being used correctly. Both eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness are identified as important indicators in the development of sustainable industrial systems. In the framework of sustainable industrial systems, eco-effectiveness must begin to play a more important role.

Improving resource utilization efficiency in China's mineral resource-based cities: A case study of Chengde, Hebei province

“…And the other http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.10.013 0921-3449/© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. one focuses on quantitative analysis to establish evaluation indicators systems and provide operational recommendations (Wang and Cote, 2011;Zhao et al, 2007).…”

Support for the conceptual design stage of effective and resource-efficient offerings : A pragmatic and cross-disciplinary approach

“…In contrast to eco-efficiency, eco-effectiveness questions if resources are being used in an environmentally appropriate manner (Wang & Côté, 2011). This concept, attributed to McDonough & Braungart (2001) proposes using natural resources in a regenerative rather than depletive manner.…”

Industrial system dynamics for environmental sustainability: a case study on the UK medical technology sector

“…One of the more proactive approaches is cleaner production. Compared to the rather reactive end-of-pipe practices, this method encompasses dematerialisation and pollution prevention at the source, rather than waste minimisation and pollution control at the end of process (Glavič and Lukman, 2007;Wang and Côté, 2011). Examples of cleaner production technologies include using environmentally friendly materials (e.g., replacing organic solvents by water) and modification of the combustion chamber design (Frondel et al, 2007).…”

“…Eco-effective policies are the backbone of C2C or industrial ecology concepts that aims to enable upcycling, which is not only the redirection of material flow, but also the establishment of new forms of supportive information and finance flow networks (Braungart et al, 2007). In contrast, eco-efficiency oriented policies relates to downcycling, creating less waste and pollution, therefore supporting environmental concepts such as zero waste/emission (Orsato, 2006;Wang and Côté, 2011).…”