Eco-efficiency: Environmental Business Management

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is a management philosophy that encourages productive activities to pursue environmental improvements and economic benefits. It focuses on the efficient use of natural resources by producing more with less. This efficiency must be measured and evaluated in order to monitor the productive performance of an economic activity. These indicators are applied to a public utility company to assess the efficiency of electricity and water use by production process, as an example of the potential of eco-efficiency analysis and evaluation tools to explore the maximization of each service by conducting a comparative analysis of its environmental performance over the years. As an approach aimed at a new model of business management, increasing social well-being and reducing environmental overexploitation, these indicators would serve as a tool for decision-making (improving economic and environmental performance).