Earthenterprise Tool Kit - International Institute for Sustainable ...

EarthEnterprise Tool Kit
• Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals made from plant extracts;
• Renewable energy technologies that are cost-effective, cause minimal
pollution, and offer sustained yield;
• Heating/cooling technologies that are efficient, low in emissions, based on
renewable energy, and not reliant on CFCs;
• Organically produced agricultural products;
• Bicycles.
Characteristics of Sustainable Technologies
Low Environmental Impact ◗ Very low or benign emissions to the
environment in production, use, disposal
◗ No toxic releases
◗ Benefits environment indirectly through its
use and/or inherent efficiency
Resource Efficiency ◗ Efficient utilization of material
resources, often using recycled material
◗ Based on renewable resources and energy (or
minimal use of non-renewable resources)
◗ Efficient consumption of energy in
production and use
◗ Durable, reusable and/or recyclable
Economic Advantages ◗ Economically cost effective compared to
conventional product or service
◗ Incorporate externalities in market price
◗ Can be financed by the user through various
financial saving streams
◗ Improve productivity or competitiveness of
industry and commerce
Social Advantages ◗ Enhance or maintain living standards or
quality of life
◗ Readily available and accessible by all
classes and cultures
◗ Consistent with themes of decentralization,
individual control and democracy
Because the concept of sustainable technologies is in its early stages, the tool
should be considered “Mark 1”: it gives new directions, not final answers. It
should be used to spark new ideas and stretch the imaginations of those
d eveloping processes and pro d u c t s . The concept of “ n ev e r- e n d i n g
improvement”is relevant.
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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT