Eco-efficiency is an evolving concept which allows companies to adapt to the changing dynamics of the marketplace while improving environmental performance. It links the business objective of "creating value" to environmental management.
The primary objective of eco-efficiency is to maximize environmental and economic benefits, while simultaneously minimizing both environmental and economic costs.
Eco-Efficiency = Product or Service Value/Environmental Influence
Eco-efficiency is achieved by the delivery of competitively-priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life cycle analysis to a level at least in line with the earths estimated carrying capacity.
Cleaner Production is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy to processes, products, and services to increase overall efficiency, and reduce risks to humans and the environment. Cleaner Production can be applied to the processes used in any industry, to products themselves and to various services provided in society.
Clean production requires a systematic approach to product creation, customer needs and consumption practices working together to support economic vitality, environmental improvement and the protection of human health.
Resources: