Eco-Efficiency

Did you know?

• Europe currently wastes, at a minimum, 20% of its energy due to inefficient use
• The International Energy Agency reports that  energy-efficient buildings, industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's projected energy needs in 2050 by one third, and be crucial in controlling global emissions of greenhouse gases
• Eco-efficiency improves environmental performance, helps companies pre-empt market and regulatory trends, and contributes to long-term business sustainability

Eco-Energy-Efficiency Check-up Programme for SMEs

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing continuous pressure on cost containment for maintaining business sustainability. Very often the initial capital costs of investing in efficient energy alternatives are quite high, but the experiences of large industries prove that such investments can have a very short return on investment.

Recognising this, ST Microelectronics, ABB, Telecom Italia, Enel, Indesit and Sodalitas have gathered together best practices from large multinationals and focused on making them transferable to SMEs. The result is a set of user-friendly guidelines providing practical advice for SMEs on how to improve their energy efficiency.

Built on the 3-E's principles: Ecology, Efficiency and Economy, the Guidelines help companies comprehend how to: measure consumption, develop action plans, monitor progress, and identify improvement areas and define benchmarks.

Get Equipped

Eco-Efficiency Online Database for SMEs

This user-friendly database of eco-efficiency indicators (accessible from the Sodalitas website) aims at helping SMEs reduce their eco-footprint; it addresses issues such as how to measure consumption, identification of improvement areas, how to define benchmarks and monitor progress.

Decalogue of Eco-Efficiency Priniciples (PDF)

The guiding principles of eco-efficiency protocols are explicitly established through the Laboratory's decalogue.

Annex to the Eco-Efficiency Laboratory (PDF)

The annex explains the context and key elements of the 3-E approach - Economy, Ecology, Efficiency - with reference to specific eco-efficiency measures useful for SMEs.

Flyer of the Eco-Efficiency Laboratory (PDF)

Provides an overview of the methodology and practical outputs of the Eco-Efficiency Laboratory.

Poster of the Eco-Efficiency Laboratory (PDF)

A visual representation of the main elements of eco-efficiency networks and practices for SMEs.

See Also . . .

• Over 100 company solutions on Environmental sustainability in our CSR solutions database
• More information about the CSR Laboratory on Eco-Efficiency

Laboratory Leader and Facilitator