Sign up by 2/21 to save $800 to attend Circularity, the leading circular economy event 4/29-5/1 in Denver.

Article Top Ad

World Business Council Measures Eco-Efficiency

So you say your business is eco-efficient. By what factor? Can you prove it? Maybe so: Twenty-three companies have finished testing a method for determining the eco-efficiency of a business, large or small. Read More

(Updated on July 24, 2024)

So you say your business is eco-efficient. By what factor? Can you prove it? Maybe so: Twenty-three companies have finished testing a method for determining the eco-efficiency of a business, large or small.

A report explaining the system, developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is to be published this month. The coalition of 130 international companies will then begin to promote the approach for use by industry in 30 countries around the world where WBCSD is represented.

How it works

The procedure is based on the use of equations to measure and report performance. Companies are encouraged to create the equations by putting
a factor that represents value — such as the quantity of goods produced or net sales — in the numerator and some environmental influence — the
use of resources and energy, or emissions that can have adverse impacts in the denominator.

For example, one eco-efficiency indicator for a detergent producer could be dollars of detergent sales over the kilojoules of energy consumed during manufacturing.

Grow for good

Charles Keffer, director of sustainable development operational excellence at Monsanto and one of the report’s chief authors, says the measure is an important step forward:

“Ultimately what you would really like to do is to grow in a way that not only improves the efficiency but reduces the net of what you are doing. There are times when that can be done and times when it cannot,” Keffer said.

“As you find breakthroughs that allow you to grow and also reduce your footprint from what it currently is, you will have a mechanism and a process for communicating that very clearly.”

According to World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a company wanting to become eco-efficient should strive to:

  • reduce the material intensity of its goods and services
  • reduce the energy intensity of its goods and services
  • reduce the dispersion of any toxic materials
  • enhance the recyclability of its materials
  • maximize the sustainable use of renewable resources
  • extend the durability of its products
  • increase the service intensity of its goods and services
Trellis Briefing

Subscribe to Trellis Briefing

Get real case studies, expert action steps and the latest sustainability trends in a concise morning email.
Article Sidebar 1 Ad
Article Sidebar 2 Ad