Exploring measures beyond energy efficiency with the transfer of environmentally sound technology methodology

Abstract

We question the prevailing assumption that energy efficiency measures are always the more cost-effective measures for improving resource efficiency in manufacturing companies. We do this by analyzing data about potential reductions in energy, water, and raw material use in 58 companies. The data were collected by United Nations Industrial Development Organization country teams that implemented a Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology project in three North African countries (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). Our analysis of approximately 650 measures finds that there are equally attractive measures across all three resources in terms of their payback periods and use reductions. We also find both significant similarities and differences in payback periods and reductions in resource use across manufacturing sectors and countries. Based on our findings, we recommend that those who undertake energy audits and cleaner production assessments investigate in their work the potential savings and use reductions for water and raw material measures in addition to those for energy.

Keywords

• Cleaner production
• Cleaner technology
• Environmental management
• Energy
• Water
• Material savings