From July 2010, electricity prices are expected to rise by 13.6%, due to a regulated increase. On top of this, electricity prices are expected to rise a further 18% with the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and gas prices by 12%.
For Brisbane...
The cost of bulk water has increased by 43.6% in one year from $0.63kL to $0.90kL in 2007/08 to 2008/09 financial years respectively. This is expected to increase a further 130%, reaching $2.07kL in 2013/14, which is an average of 26% per year!
With such dramatic increases in utility costs, how can you afford not to investigate the benefits of eco-efficiency?
(Source: Queensland Competition Authority, www.qca.org.au/electricity-retail/NEP0910/draftdec.php; Australian Department of Climate Change, Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper, www.climatechange.gov.au/whitepaper/summary/index.html Queensland Water Commissions, Bulk Water Prices, www.qwc.qld.gov.au/Bulk+water+prices)
What is eco-efficiency?
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) defines eco-efficiency as:
.....'the delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource intensity throughout the life cycle, to a level at least in line with the earth's estimated carrying capacity.'
Put simply, Eco-efficiency or Cleaner Production (CP) is about saving money while improving environmental performance by using fewer resources (water, energy, raw materials) and producing less waste. It involves rethinking conventional practices to come up with smarter solutions following the seven elements as listed below.
Seven elements of eco-efficiency
The WBCSD outlines the seven elements of eco-efficiency as:
- Reduce material intensity (make more goods with fewer inputs)
- Reduce energy consumption (make more goods with less energy)
- Reduce dispersion of toxic substances (make more goods with less poisonous waste)
- Enhance recyclability (make the goods recyclable)
- Maximise use of renewables (make goods out of materials that won't run out)
- Extend product durability (make goods that last)
- Increase service intensity (meet demand with a service and not with goods)
Source: (WBCSD, 2000, eco-efficiency, ecoBiz Queensland, 2008, Introduction to ecoBiz)
How can eco-efficiency help manufacturers?
Manufacturers who implement eco-efficiency in their factories will discover economic benefits for reducing their environmental impact. With the cost of gas, electricity, water and waste disposal increasing, it becomes more and more effective for companies to investigate waste and to look at methods for becoming more efficient. Case studies outline how Queensland manufacturers have benefitted from eco-efficiency.
Benefits of eco-efficiency - starting the journey to becoming a world class, sustainable manufacturer
The benefits of implementing eco-efficiency gained by manufacturers can include:
- direct financial savings from reduced raw material, water, energy and other resource costs.
- direct savings from reduced waste generation
- greater productivity through improved utilisation of raw materials
- reduced operational and maintenance costs
- enhanced public image for the company leading to competitive advantage
- motivation for continuous improvement
- reduced exposure to risk and liability due to proactive management of environmental aspects
- capability to influence future decisions regarding generic levels of compliance for processing facilities
- improved workplace health, safety and morale.
Gain recognition for improving your eco-efficiency
Join the ecoBiz program and become an ecoBiz partner. For more information click here.
The Working Group for Cleaner Production at The University of Queensland are ecoBiz facilitators and can assist you in your participation in the ecoBiz program.
Sustainability Roadmap
The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management has developed a Sustainability Roadmap for businesses wanting to journey along the pathway to sustainability. This roadmap provides targets and milestones to help companies on the journey. Eco-efficiency is one of the tools used along this journey. This roadmap is available at www.derm.qld.gov.au.