環境効率

ECO Efficiency

Activities

In Japan, some leading industries and companies have started to apply the eco-efficiency concept in their business decision-making and/or communication tools with stakeholders. Although still experimental, eco-efficiency indicators are considered to be applicable at the sectoral /corporate level and at a product level.

The Project Factor X has been examining the establishment of common standards, keeping in mind the fact that the diversity of existing indicators should not be lost, and working toward the development of de facto standards. If the project is successful, the indicators are set to become powerful tools that will enhance the competitiveness of environmentally conscious and valuable products in global markets and will also prove useful for purchasers and consumers. Several analyses have been conducted through the project: the principles of a product related to eco-efficiency, the practices of a product to improve its performance and the current product\'s performances with regard to impacts on the environment and the value. The observation of a variety of implementation of eco-efficiency concept in Japanese industries is carried out.

In the early 2004, the Project Factor X has published a handbook about detailed calculation of the eco-efficiency indicators of products for the first time. The intention is to enhance the concept and apply it into the product sustainability in the practical manner by presenting quantitative evaluation. The guidebook "Eco-Efficiency Indicator Handbook" for Products presents the methodological aspects and the selection of appropriate eco-efficiency indicators to help companies contribute to sustainability, as well as how the data can be used in the analysis. Economic value (sales, prices, profit etc.) cannot be always appropriate as the evaluation items. Product function needs to be evaluated when the eco-efficiency concept is adopted for sustainable product evaluation.

In Japan, some leading ICT companies have started to apply the eco-efficiency concept in their business decision-making and/or communication tools with stakeholders. The discussion has been summarized as an ICT eco-efficiency evaluation guideline, drafted by a working group (WG). The guideline is now available from below.