A Portal on Sustainability

Eco-Efficiency

04.05.2005 · Research Group on the Global Future

Eco-efficiency is a management philosophy. It encourages businesses to become more competitive, more innovative and more environmentally responsible. As an increasing number of companies come to recognize that eco-efficient practices, i.e. the combination of economic and ecological efficiency, can feed right through to the bottom line, the concept is now becoming firmly entrenched in the business world.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development developed the following description of sustainable development for business strategy:
For the business enterprise, sustainable development means adopting business strategies and activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining, and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future. This definition falls far short of the concept of "full sustainability" or a rigorous definition of sustainable development. The conflict of stakeholder needs versus resource protection opens the door to ambiguity and interpretation. This definition also falls short by failing to provide for measurability. Despite the weakness of this definition, the existing business climate - including political and economic infrastructures and technology - does not provide a suitable environment for pursuing rigorous sustainability. This definition is arguably the most practical definition for the short-term future. As sustainability becomes an increasingly visible issue, it seems likely that corporations will find themselves facing more rigorous definitions.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of 125 international companies that are committed to the environment and to the principles of economic growth and sustainable development. It aims to develop closer co-operation between business, government and all other organizations. An important theme in the Council's work is that the solution to resolving potential conflicts between trade and the environment lies, in many respects, in business's own hands. At the heart of the WBCSD's philosophy is eco-efficiency. As their major brand, it underpins virtually all the endeavors of the organization and its members.

Sustainable Business.com is a focal point on the Web for all environmental business sectors, from recycling to green building, from renewable energy to organic products, from social investing to certified forestry. It includes the "Sustainable Business Insider" magazine, business opportunities, Green Dream jobs, and a comprehensive link library on the subjects.

ID21 Development Research is a new online reporting service that contains hundreds of policy-relevant findings on critical global development issues, drawn from over 40 major UK-based economics and social studies departments and think-tanks, together with a wide range of NGO research departments and consultants.

Better World Zine Corporations will be challenged as never before as the need for sustainability becomes more urgent. The article presented here introduces some trends and new tricks that savvy corporations better be prepared to learn.

The World Bank, as the leading international financial institution, has been paying growing attention on environmental aspects and designed operational policies for environmentally sound and sustainable financing in recent years. The group designed an operational manual as a guideline for financing under the condition of environmental protection and sustainable development.