Definition: Eco-efficiency

Category: National accounts

a) An indicator for the output or value added generated per unit of "nature" (materials/energy/pollution) used. 

b) A social action strategy which seeks to reduce the use of materials in the economy in order to reduce undesirable environmental impacts. Ever smaller quantities of materials have to produce a relatively higher degree of economic affluence. The general objective of eco-efficiency is to "get more from less" (this is known as qualitative growth). http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/KS-34-00-536-__-I-EN.pdf