This publication provides governments with practical guidance for measuring performance in the context of eco-efficiency and harnessing the concept of eco-efficiency for socioeconomic policies pertaining to environmental sustainability. The conventional ‘grow now, clean up later’ approaches to economic growth are increasingly placing the futures of regional economies and societies at risk. The forward-thinking policymaker is tasked to promote development based on eco-efficient economic growth and, at the same time, record gains in human welfare and socioeconomic progress.

The ultimate goal of eco-efficiency indicators (EEI) is to provide governments with a practical tool for measuring their performance in the context of eco-efficiency and harness the concept of eco-efficiency for socioeconomic policies pertaining to environmental sustainability.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ‘Greening of economic growth’ series provides policymakers with quick access to clear, easy-to-read guidance to specific ‘green growth’ policy tools and actions. This publication, Eco-efficiency Indicators: Measuring Resource-use Efficiency and the Impact of Economic Activities on the Environment, is produced as an output of an ESCAP project entitled ‘Pursuing Green Growth by improving eco-efficiency of economic growth in Asia and the Pacific’ under the Korea-ESCAP Cooperation Fund.

Read the report here: Eco-efficiency indicators: Measuring resource-use efficiency and the impact of economic activities on the environment.