What is Resource Efficiency
In the industrial context, resources are designated as a means for producing goods and services.
Resources can be divided into technical/economic resources (personnel, operating equipment, capital, knowledge) and into natural resources, such as energy, water and raw material.
Resource efficiency means the efficient utilization of these technical/economic and natural resources. It also entails the continuous application of preventive environmental strategies to processes, products and services to increase efficiency and reduce risks to communities and the environment.
Resources can be divided into technical/economic resources (personnel, operating equipment, capital, knowledge) and into natural resources, such as energy, water and raw material.
Resource efficiency means the efficient utilization of these technical/economic and natural resources. It also entails the continuous application of preventive environmental strategies to processes, products and services to increase efficiency and reduce risks to communities and the environment.
Why Resource Efficiency
Resource efficiency is a critical component of a number of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
The shift towards material use reduction is under way, but there is room for further development. By implementing resource efficiency services, industries can reduce the material, energy and pollution intensity per unit of industrial output, thereby reducing the global ecological footprint while simultaneously improving productivity and competitiveness.
- Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
The shift towards material use reduction is under way, but there is room for further development. By implementing resource efficiency services, industries can reduce the material, energy and pollution intensity per unit of industrial output, thereby reducing the global ecological footprint while simultaneously improving productivity and competitiveness.