Using life-cycle analysis to estimate economic performance

One of the principal tools of industrial ecology is life-cycle assessment which intends to improve overall economic efficiency and to minimize negative environmental impacts of products, processes, and facilities. This paper describes a general methodology for environmentally responsible assessment of these activities; it discusses some of the underlying considerations for this assessment which are accessible by rigorous quantitative analysis; and an overall economic performance metric is proposed which puts both environmental and economic considerations on a common basis. Finally, some considerations involved in this approach is introduced as a guide to environmentally sound design and management

Science and technology for industrial ecology

Scientific and technological communities have a significant role to play and responsibility for the evolution of global sustainability (continuously improving quality of life into the indefinite future). Sustainability is not possible without a substantially improved science and technology basis for industrial ecology. Society needs data and understanding of complex ecological issues to govern itself in a sustainable manner. We should: support and develop multi-disciplinary programs which create the scientific basis for understanding natural and anthropogenic complex systems and for developing environmentally and economically efficient technology; demonstrate a systems-based approach to science and technology issues which is life-cycle comprehensive, integrates environmental considerations, and promotes conservation of natural resources; and encourage development of responsible, technically and scientifically valid, cost-effective environmental laws and practices

Science and technology for industrial ecology

This paper first discusses the challenge offered by natural and anthropogenic systems in all of their complexity and then indicates some areas of research in which specific scientific and technological needs are identifiable

Managing in an environmentally constrained world

In thinking about this issue, one comes to fundamental question: Why are we concerned at all? Why have all of us gathered here, rather than simply continue to clean up what we should from the past and control our emissions for the present and the future? The answer, I think, may be hinted at by several scenarios (which, although plausible given current trends, are intended to be hypothetical)

Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering

The first book of its kind devoted completely to industrial ecology/green engineering, this introduction uses industrial ecology principles and cases to ground the discussion of sustainable engineering–and offers practical and reasonable approaches to design decisions. KEY TOPICS: Technology and Sustainability; Industrial Ecology(IE) and Sustainable Engineering (SE) Concepts; Relevance of Biological Ecology to Technology; Metabolic Analysis; Technological Change and Evolving Risk; Social Dimensions of Industrial Ecology; Concept of Sustainability; SE; Industrial Product Development; Design for Environment and for Sustainability; Introduction to Life-Cycle Assessment; LCA Impact and Interpretation Stages; Streamlining the LCA Process; Systems Analysis; Industrial Ecosystems; Material Flow Analysis; National Material Accounts; Energy and IE; Water and IE; Urban IE; Modeling in IE; Scenarios for IE; Status of Resources; IE and SE in Developing Countries; IE and Sustainability in the Corporation/Government/Society MARKET: A useful reference for professionals in environmental science, environmental policy, and engineering