Eco-efficiency and sustainable production aim to enhance competitiveness while improving the environmental and social viability of companies in an increasingly globalised economy.

To attain these goals, a range of products and tools has been developed. These follow a common strategy and approach, and can be implemented alone or in combination, as fits the specific case. They are:

• eco-efficiency in industry
• energy efficiency in industry
• profitable environmental management
• technology cooperation and innovative companies
• eco-industrial parks – fostering sustainable industrial sites
• energy-efficient building design and construction.

Eco-efficiency impacts

• Environmental impacts
  By curbing energy and material consumption, wastes and emissions, pressures upon the natural environment are reduced. Companies make products of higher environmental quality, and exercise greater environmental responsibility.
  
• Economic impacts
  Efficient energy and resource use improves competitiveness and cuts costs. Disposal costs are minimised, while production processes, product design and organisational procedures are optimised.
  
• Social impacts
  Workplace health and safety are improved. Corporate social responsibility is enhanced, as is interaction between companies and local communities. Continuous staff training and participation encourage optimisation and innovation, while raising productivity.

GIZ’s advisory services

• Enhancing the framework conditions, e.g. advising regulatory authorities on ways to harmonise industrial, energy, environmental and fiscal policies and laws.
  
• Improving the services available to companies, e.g. developing tailored advisory services on eco-efficiency and environmentally sound corporate management.
  
• Shaping demand, e.g. initiating and facilitating pilot projects with international companies to safeguard quality and environmental standards.

GIZ’s many years of experience in this field have shown that the following steps are key elements of a successful consultancy process:

Cost reduction as motivating factor

Reducing the cost of energy, water and material consumption is the first step towards motivating the management of small and medium-sized enterprises to engage in sustainable production and consumption.

Policy advice as guarantor of sustainability and broad-scale impact

Fostering competition through benchmarking systems, along with new incentive and promotional systems, are important preconditions for the effective introduction and dissemination of sustainable management tools.

The quality of the service market is key

New or improved products available commercially from consulting firms or information and financial service providers enable companies to effectively meet the need for improved quality, productivity and cleaner production.

Stimulating the market and shaping demand

The support of company networks, eco-industrial parks and information/innovation centres generally prompts entrepreneurs to realign their priorities. Demand for services is stimulated. If this succeeds, companies often become more willing to act of their own accord. More efficient state regulation and incentive systems complement this, ultimately relieving pressure on public authorities in their environmental standards monitoring.