Eco-efficiency is a
management philosophy that encourages business to search for environmental
improvements that yield parallel economic benefits. It focuses on business
opportunities and allows companies to become more environmentally responsible
and more profitable. It is a key business contribution to sustainable
societies. 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 to a level at least in line with the earth’s estimated carrying
capacity. The density of population and socio-economic activities that
characterise most cities can lead to efficiency gains and technological
innovation through the proximity of economic activities while reducing resource
and energy consumption. Urban infrastructure including streets, railways,
water, and sewage systems come at considerably lower cost per unit as urban
density rises.
THE ABC FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES
UNEP / UN HABITAT / FIDIC / GI-REC
