Toward a systematized framework for resource efficiency indicators

TLDR

The shift toward resource‑efficient production and consumption is a key challenge, yet the concept has spawned many meanings and a wide array of indicators. This paper proposes a systematized framework to structure and position resource‑efficiency indicators, aiming to clarify their scope and limitations for policymakers and researchers. The framework encompasses all resource‑use aspects—accounting of extraction and use, environmental impact assessment at process and supply‑chain levels, micro‑ and macro‑scale analyses, and natural resources versus waste‑as‑resources—and demonstrates its application by organizing selected existing indicators.

Abstract

The transition toward resource efficient production and consumption patterns is currently one of the main challenges in engineering, environmental science and especially in governmental policies. This transition has led to a proliferation of meanings related to the resource efficiency concept, resulting in a wide variety of indicators. In this paper, we propose a systematized framework in which resource efficiency indicators can be structured and comprehensively positioned. The aim is to provide a proper understanding of the scope and limitations of particular existing resource efficiency indicators in order to assist policy makers and the scientific community in the application and further development of indicators. This framework covers all different resource use-related aspects evaluated in existing approaches, including simple accounting of resource extraction and use; environmental impact assessment due to resource extraction and use; accounting and environmental impact assessment of specific processes and of full supply chains; analyses at micro-scale and macro-scale; and analysis of both natural resources versus waste-as-resources. To illustrate the potential application of the framework, a set of currently used indicators was selected, whereupon these indicators were structured and evaluated within the framework.