Resource efficiency

Isabella Bianco

Chapter 139 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 518-520 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: A universally accepted definition of “Resource Efficiency” has not yet been established. Generally, resource efficiency refers to the efficient use of natural resources, where the benefits from products or services are maximized, while the consumption and waste of resources are minimized. The concept of resource efficiency is described by the overarching goal of decoupling the economic growth from resource use and its associated environmental impacts. An effective strategy for achieving decoupling has been identified in the circular economy, which aims to maintain the value of products for as long as possible and minimize waste. The identification of indicators for calculating resource efficiency is still debated. The most common indicators can be classified as: efficiency at level 1, referring to the ratio between the useful outputs (or benefits) and the quantity of inventoried flows (in kg, m3, etc); efficiency at level 2 (or eco-efficiency), referring to the ratio between the useful outputs (or benefits) and environmental impacts.

Keywords: Resource consumption; Resource decoupling; Impact decoupling; Circular Economy; Indicators; Benefits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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