Eco-efficiency

In 1991, I was asked to participate as Chief Advisor for Business and Industry at the 1992 Earth Summit. On that occasion, I gathered 50 business leaders from around the world and we applied ourselves to the task of determining what the entrepreneur could do to evolve on the road to sustainable development. We came to the conclusion that efficiency was the common denominator of economic growth and environmental protection, which motivated, among other things, the use of the term “eco-efficiency”·

Basically, eco-efficiency means adding value to goods or services, using fewer natural resources, and producing less waste and contamination. The prefix “eco” refers to both “economy” and “ecology”.

Within the framework of deregulations and privatizations, the ethical dimension of business activity acquires an even more relevant value due to the fact that economic freedom entails greater levels of responsibility. Personally, I think the concept “eco-efficiency” takes in that ethical dimension, has inspired and led leaders from different spheres and sectors, and has promoted harmony between economic activities and natural ecosystems.

During the last decade, many companies have made money while reducing waste and environmental contamination. This proves that raising environmental standards does not necessarily mean reducing earnings. Nevertheless, and despite the fact that progress in this aspect has been important, I believe that our efforts must double in a world in which population and consumption are in constant growth.