Title: Four theoretical issues and a funeral: improving the policy-guiding value of eco-efficiency indicators

Authors: Nigel Jollands, Murray Patterson

Addresses: New Zealand Centre for Ecological Economics, Massey University and Landcare Research, P.O. Box 11-052, Palmerston North, New Zealand. ' New Zealand Centre for Ecological Economics, Massey University and Landcare Research, P.O. Box 11-052, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract: For eco-efficiency indicators to be useful in guiding policy, four issues must be resolved: the meaning of ||eco-efficiency||, the meaning of ||eco-efficiency indicator||, the criteria for choosing the most suitable eco-efficiency indicator(s), and the strengths and limitations of eco-efficiency indicators for guiding policy makers| decisions. These issues, if not resolved, may prove to be the death knell of the use of eco-efficiency indicators for policy development. This paper addresses each of these issues in detail. In doing so, we hope to avert the need to make funeral arrangements for a potentially promising policy tool.

Keywords: eco-efficiency indicators; definitions; criteria; limitations; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2004.005074

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2004 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.235 - 261

Published online: 25 Aug 2004 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article