ECO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP (or ecopreneurship)
Unit 1: Understanding eco-entrepreneurship principles
Unit 2: Identifying sustainable business opportunities
Unit 3: Environmental and Social impact assessment
Unit 4: Ecodesign and green product development
In this module you will find
INTRODUCTION
Aim & Competences
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Key concepts, background information, relevant theories
ACTIVITIES
Exercises, self-reflection & practical resources to promote inclusive e-learning
Glossary
Frequently used words of the module
USEFUL TIPS
Advice, ideas and proposals on relevant issues
INTRODUCTION
- Ecopreneurs
- Sustainability
- Job opportunities
- Circular economy
- Eco-design
- Environmental and social impact
AIM
This module aims at:
- Providing a basic knowledge of the global environmental and economic context
- Introducing the concept of eco-entrepreneurship and make learners aware of the new job opportunities in the field of green economy
- Providing a description of the eco-entrepreneur mindset and sustainability principles to be considered in developing a sustainable business model
- Providing guidance on the criteria to consider when measuring and assessing the social and environmental impact of a company
- Conveying basics of Ecodesign useful for the development of sustainable products
Competences
Identify and assess sustainable business opportunities.
Knowledge: Knows the main areas of potential sustainable business opportunities
Skill: can seize and shape opportunities to respond to environmental challenges
Attitude: is willing to start an eco-business
Demonstrate understanding of eco-entrepreneurship principles.
Knowledge: knows the principles of sustainable business
Skill: is able to integrate sustainability in the business model
Attitude: has developed an environmental consciousness
Conduct environmental impact assessments for business initiatives.
Knowledge: Understand why it is important to assess the environmental impact of the business initiative
Skill: knows the main tools, strategies and criteria to assess the environmental impact
Attitude: is willing to take responsibility for the social and environmental impact of his/her business initiative
Implement eco-design principles and contribute to green product development
Knowledge: knows the principles of eco-design
Skill: Is able to integrate them in the value chain of the product
Attitude: Is willing to innovate and has a creative attitude
UNIT 1
Understanding eco-entrepreneurship principles
Unit 1
Eco-entrepreneurship (also referred to as environmental or green entrepreneurship) is a type of entrepreneurship whose main objective is to solve an environmental problem while generating a profit.
In addition, and with a broader meaning, eco-entrepreneurship can be said to be a type of business that operates sustainably and strives to reduce its impact on the environment at every stage of its management and production processes.
Insight
The term eco-entrepreneurship, which combines the word ‘eco’ (short for ecology) from the Greek oikos (home, environment), with the concept of entrepreneurship, began to spread in the early 1990s in academia with the growing conviction that a certain type of innovative solutions can not only produce positive effects for the environment but also open new business opportunities.
Therefore, for the purposes of our course, it will be good to emphasise to the learners that a ‘green’ enterprise is not necessarily one that originates from an advanced technical or technological innovation requiring high levels of skills and specialist knowledge: a ‘green’ enterprise can also be a more generic type of business that adopts more sustainable strategies or solutions in its management and production processes.
Example…
A restaurant is a type of business whose main purpose is to provide food and culinary experiences to its customers. Even if its objective is not to solve environmental problems, it can adopt sustainable practices to minimise its environmental impact, such as using only organic and local ingredients, offering a seasonal menu, adopting systems to reduce water and energy consumption, and more.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ECO-ENTREPRENEUR?
Ideally, an eco-entrepreneur:
- aims to solve a specific environmental problem through sustainable business
- looks for gaps in the market and use creative solutions to realise her/his vision
- is focused on the development and promotion of ecologically oriented innovations
Thus, eco-entrepreneurs play a critical role in the eventual adoption of green business practices by the wider business community through the lead role that they provide to other firms. By demonstrating the economic benefits that come from being greener, ecopreneurs act as a ‘pull’ factor that entices other firms to proactively go green, in contrast to the ‘push’ factors of government regulation and stakeholder or lobby-group pressure.
ECO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A DRIVER OF CHANGE AND JOB OPPORTUNITY
We live in a historical moment in which mankind must deal with the pressing challenges arising from the climate crisis, the progressive reduction of resources, generalised pollution and the degradation of eco-systems, caused by the economic-productive model typical of capitalism, based on extractivism, infinite exploitation of resources, and the use of fossil fuels to produce energy.
It is precisely fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) that are mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect and the rise in the planet’s average temperatures and the consequent extreme weather events that have spared no corner of the planet in recent years and continue to increase in frequency and intensity (floods, hurricanes, droughts, fires to name but a few).
In this context, eco-entrepreneurship represents both a powerful tool for changing the prevailing economic model and counteracting the environmental and climate degradation of the planet, and an opportunity for the generation of new ethical and sustainable jobs.
Although ecopreneurship initiatives can span a wide range of issues from ocean pollution to recycling to food waste, they tend to follow reoccurring environmental principles such as systems thinking, cradle to cradle, product design, triple bottom line accounting, etc.
It is useful for aspiring eco-entrepreneurs to have at least a basic understanding of these principles as guidelines for developing their business plans. Let’s give a look into the most important ones:
Systems Thinking is a core principle to any business concerned with sustainability and the environment. It is an approach to problem solving that studies how something interacts with its environment, whether that be social, economic or natural. The eco-entrepreneur, therefore, in developing his or her business model, is mindful of all the effects that his or her activities generate (on markets, individuals and communities, animals, the environment).
this principle requires that social and environmental factors are considered at an early stage in the development of the product or service that the company intends to offer, to minimise negative environmental and social impacts throughout the life cycle of the product/service.
Some examples of ways to implement sustainable product design include:
- streamline design: use fewer materials, find sustainable material substitutes;
- procure materials sustainability: choose resources whose extraction is not harmful to the surrounding environment and use the most Eco-friendly extraction methods;
- reduce materials: reducing material weight or transportation volume
- optimise production: use production techniques with as little as possible harmful environmental side effects like toxic chemical release, reduce waste and emissions
- improve distribution: use less or reusable packaging, transport and distribute products more efficiently
- cut impact: reduce energy consumption, use cleaner energy sources like solar panels or wind power.
- prolong life: improve durability and reliability of product, offer repair services, re-purpose broken or unused products
- manage waste: implement recycling or reuse programs, up-cycle product, dispose of products safely
Cradle-to-Cradle design: is a popular environmental approach to product design (in opposition to cradle-to-grave) that seeks to eliminate waste by designing products that can be continuously recirculated through our economy. Cradle to Cradle design is mimicked after processes in the natural environment which do not create waste but instead every output is an input for another organism.
Cradle to Cradle design is often achieved through using environmentally friendly resources (non-toxic) that can either be recycled into other products or composted. Another important component of cradle-to-cradle design is the ability to easily take products apart for better reuse as well as designing with durability in mind.
Check out this video on YouTube of William McDonough, co-author of the book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things” if you want to deepen the topic.
Triple bottom line accounting (TBL): The triple bottom line is a business concept that states firms should commit to measuring their social and environmental impact—in addition to their financial performance—rather than solely focusing on generating profit, or the standard “bottom line.”
The triple bottom line can be broken down into “three P’s”: profit, people, and the planet. Firms can use these categories to conceptualise their environmental responsibility and determine any negative social impacts to which they might be contributing.
Check out this video on YouTube if you want to deepen the topic of the triple bottom line.
USEFUL TOOLS
In this section, you will find the following tools:
– A tool to familiarise yourself with the concept of your personal carbon footprint and how to measure it. The tool is especially useful for raising awareness of the impact that our lifestyle habits have in terms of CO2 production.
– A United Nations website where a CO2 offsetting system is proposed through support for climate projects (e.g., reforestation projects)
– An e-learning platform on the topic of waste reduction and how to make it a successful business model
– A portal on the topic of eco-entrepreneurship at European level
– An in-depth reading on the topic of the triple bottom line
Carbon Footprint calculator – Global Footprint Network
This carbon footprint calculator allows everyone to calculate own carbon footprint. Even though it is not meant for businesses it helps learners to understand the impact of our daily habits and activities.
United Nations Carbon offset platform
The UN carbon offset platform is a sort of e-commerce where a company, organisation or a regular citizens can purchase units (carbon credits) to compensate greenhouse gas emissions or to simply support action on climate.
https://unfccc.int/climate-action/united-nations-carbon-offset-platform
MISSION ZERO ACADEMY
Mission Zero Academy (MiZA) is the capacity – building hub for local decision-makers, SMEs, and other organisations wanting to take a step forward in their zero waste strategies and circular economy implementation.
Home page
ECOPRENEUR.EU
Ecopreneur.eu is the political voice of European sustainable businesses. The mission of Ecopreneur.eu is to pursue advocacy activities with an influence on sustainable development and the green economy. On the website there are many reports and publication that can be useful for aspiring ecopreneurs to understand more about market trends.
Ecopreneur.eu
Investopedia
In-depth reading on the Triple Bottom line accounting
UNIT 2
Identifying sustainable business opportunities
UNIT 2
Identifying sustainable business opportunities involves recognising market needs or inefficiencies that can be addressed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Here’s a guide to help aspiring eco-entrepreneurs:
- Understand Sustainability: Familiarise yourself with the principles of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. Consider how your business can contribute positively to these areas.
- Research Market Trends: Investigate current trends and emerging issues related to sustainability. Look for areas where consumer preferences are shifting towards eco-friendly products or services.
- Identify Pain Points: Identify environmental or social problems that need solutions. These could range from reducing waste and carbon emissions to improving access to clean energy or promoting ethical supply chains.
- Explore Green Technologies: Explore innovative technologies that can enable sustainable solutions. This could include renewable energy, waste management systems, water purification technologies, or eco-friendly materials.
- Consider Circular Economy: Embrace the principles of a circular economy by designing products and services that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. Think about ways to reuse, recycle, or upcycle materials in your business processes.
- Assess Market Demand: Evaluate the demand for sustainable products or services in your target market. Conduct surveys, interviews, or market research to gauge consumer interest and willingness to pay for eco-friendly alternatives.
- Evaluate Competitors: Analyse competitors in your industry to identify gaps in their sustainability practices or offerings. Look for opportunities to differentiate your business by offering more sustainable alternatives.
- Collaborate and Network: Build relationships with other businesses, NGOs, and government agencies working in the sustainability space. Collaboration can lead to new insights, partnerships, and opportunities for growth.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of developments in sustainability, policy changes, and technological advancements. Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars to stay informed and connected to the latest trends.
- Start Small, Scale Up: Begin with a pilot project or a small-scale venture to test your business idea and validate market demand. Once you have proven the concept, you can scale up your operations gradually.
Now, let’s dive into some areas of potential sustainable business opportunities:
- Renewable Energy Solutions: Develop and install solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy systems for residential, commercial, or industrial clients.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Produce biodegradable or compostable packaging materials as an alternative to traditional plastics.
- Urban Farming: Start an urban farming business to grow organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs locally, reducing food miles and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
- Water Conservation Technologies: Develop innovative technologies for water conservation, such as smart irrigation systems or water-efficient appliances.
- Green Building Materials: Manufacture sustainable building materials like bamboo flooring, recycled glass countertops, or energy-efficient insulation.
- Zero-Waste Lifestyle Products: Create and sell products that help consumers reduce waste, such as reusable water bottles, cloth shopping bags, or compost bins, refillable and bulk products.
- Carbon Offsetting Services: Offer carbon offsetting services to businesses and individuals by investing in projects that reduce or offset carbon emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.
- Ethical Fashion: Launch a clothing brand that emphasises ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled fabrics.
- Green Transportation Solutions: Develop electric bicycles, scooters, or car-sharing platforms to promote sustainable urban mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Waste Management Solutions: Provide waste management services, such as recycling collection, composting, or upcycling of discarded materials into new products.
These examples illustrate the diverse range of opportunities available for entrepreneurs interested in building sustainable businesses. By identifying market needs, leveraging innovative technologies, and staying true to sustainability principles, aspiring entrepreneurs can create successful ventures that make a positive impact on the planet and society.
Do you want more concrete ideas of sustainable business ideas? See the list below.
Work with business or individuals to help them implement strategies to reduce their carbon footprint.
Landscape eco-friendly, sustainable gardens for families and business to feed themselves.
Provide legal services to protect the environment or hold entities accountable for violating environmental laws.
Provide a service to pick up compost or a place to drop it off
Use eco-friendly products to clean homes and businesses
Dust and dirt can easily accumulate in air ducts, preventing the air conditioning system from working properly and thereby increasing energy consumption. Start an eco-friendly small business that serves to regularly clean air ducts to reduce energy consumption.
Many environmental organisations could use help getting funding. Start a career as a freelance grant writer to help them out.
Deliver food from local sources to people or businesses who need them. Farm-to-table restaurants are some of the businesses that you could help supply.
Open a restaurant that uses only locally sourced food and sustainable products and processes.
This is a powerful sustainable business idea. Help people eat clean — it’s better for their health and our earth.
Start and eco-friendly small business that sources and delivers plants to people or business that will help clean the air around them
Recycle old books for a fraction of the price. You could do this either online or in-person with a brick-and-mortar location.
As mentioned earlier, green products are a selling point. Why not open a store full of them?
One way to reduce carbon emissions is to reduce the number of people driving cars. One way to do that is by encouraging more people to ride bicycles.
How many clothes do you get rid of each year? Recycling old clothes is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of each clothing item so they don’t go to waste.
Many designers are making clothing from sustainable materials. You could be one of them, or you could sell them.
Publish information and news about climate change and subjects of interest to the environment. Reap advertising payouts from your visitors while informing the public.
This is a great sustainable business idea for bicycle enthusiasts! Bike tours in your city are way more environmentally friendly than big ole bus tours or long joy rides.
Plan eco-friendly travel destinations and activities for tourists.
Offer event planning services that guarantee a reduced carbon footprint from the event.
Take people’s old and unused technology and recycle the parts or make something new.
Harsh chemicals are bad for your skin just as they are for the environment.
Use recycled materials to build furniture and home goods people use in their everyday lives. Or open an antique shop reselling older furniture or refurbishing it and reselling it.
USEFUL TOOLS
Identifying sustainable business opportunities requires a blend of creativity, market analysis, and understanding of environmental and social trends. In this section, we have collected other tools to help you better understand market trends in the circular economy and provide insights into sustainable business opportunities. You will find:
- Reports on existing gaps in the circular economy where new business activities can be developed
- Real case studies and examples of circular economy
- An open-source platform for whoever is interested in the plastic recycling business
- Practical tools to create a sustainable business model and SWOT analysis
Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative
The Circularity Gap Reports, published annually by Circle Economy, highlight opportunities for businesses to transition towards a circular economy. These reports provide insights into circular business models and market trends.
Ellen McArthur Foundation - Case Studies and examples of circular economy
A curated collections of case studies present circular economy success stories from around the world, showing how businesses, governments and cities are transforming our economy into one that works for people and the environment.
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/examples
Precious Plastic
The platform of Precious Plastic is an online academy featuring all the information and know how needed for whoever wants to set up a small plastic recycling workspace and start a business around recycled plastic.
THREEBILITY - The sustainable business model canvas
The Sustainable Business Model Canvas (SBMC) is a great tool to incentives sustainable product- and business model design by forcing designers to think about all aspects relevant for holistic business model design. It can be downloaded from the website and used to help learners to build their own business model.
https://www.threebility.com/post/the-sustainable-business-model-canvas-a-common-language-for-sustainable-innovation
THREEBILITY - The sustainability SWOT analyses
The Sustainability SWOT Analysis (sSWOT) helps companies assess environmental risks and to drive action on environmental challenges. It helps individuals to engage and motivate colleagues.
UNIT 3
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
Assessing the environmental and social impact of a business is crucial for understanding its effects on the planet and society, as well as for identifying opportunities for improvement.
Although the environmental and social impact assessment is an activity that is generally carried out for already established companies, knowing the criteria and methods by which such an assessment is carried out is very useful especially when building the business model of a start-up company
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you assess these impacts:
- Define Your Scope: Determine the scope of your impact assessment. Consider the entire lifecycle of your business activities, including sourcing raw materials, production processes, distribution, use by customers, and disposal or recycling.
- Identify Key Stakeholders: Identify stakeholders who are affected by or have an interest in your business, including employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, and regulatory authorities. Consider their perspectives and priorities when assessing impacts.
- Gather Data: Collect relevant data on your business operations and activities. This may include energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, employee wages and working conditions, community engagement initiatives, and any other factors relevant to your business.
- Use Tools and Standards: Consider using established frameworks and standards for assessing environmental and social impacts, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, or the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These frameworks provide guidance on what data to collect and how to measure and report impacts.
- Conduct Impact Assessments: Use the data collected to assess the environmental and social impacts of your business activities. This may involve conducting a lifecycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental footprint of your products or services, as well as conducting social impact assessments to understand the effects on employees, communities, and other stakeholders.
- Identify Hotspots and Risks: Identify areas where your business has the most significant environmental and social impacts, as well as areas where there may be risks or opportunities for improvement. This could include areas with high carbon emissions, water scarcity, labor rights issues, or community conflicts.
- Engage Stakeholders: Engage with stakeholders to gather input on the impacts of your business and to discuss potential mitigation measures or improvements. This could involve holding meetings, surveys, focus groups, or other forms of consultation to gather feedback and input from stakeholders.
By following these steps, small businesses can systematically assess and address their environmental and social impact, leading to more sustainable and responsible business practices.
- Set Goals and Targets: Based on your impact assessment, set specific goals and targets for reducing or mitigating environmental and social impacts. These goals should be measurable, achievable, and aligned with the priorities of your business and stakeholders.
- Implement Measures: Implement measures to reduce or mitigate the environmental and social impacts of your business. This could include investing in energy-efficient technologies, implementing waste reduction measures, improving working conditions for employees, or supporting community development initiatives.
- Monitor and Review: Regularly monitor and review your progress towards achieving your goals and targets. This may involve collecting ongoing data on key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking trends over time, and revising strategies as needed to ensure continuous improvement.
- Report and Communicate: Transparently report on your environmental and social performance to stakeholders through sustainability reports, annual reports, websites, or other communication channels. Share successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and demonstrate your commitment to responsible business practices.
By following these steps, small businesses can systematically assess and address their environmental and social impact, leading to more sustainable and responsible business practices.
THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): A GLOBAL FRAMEWORK TO FOSTER SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define global sustainable development priorities and aspirations for 2030 and seek to mobilise global efforts around a common set of goals and targets. The SDGs call for worldwide action among government, businesses and civil society to end poverty and create a life of dignity and opportunity for all, within the boundaries of the planet.
To guide businesses to contribute to the sustainable development goal and measure their impact, the United Nations have developed the SDGS COMPASS. The guide presents five steps for companies to maximise their contribution to the SDGs. Companies can apply the five steps to set or align their course, depending on where they are on the journey of ensuring that sustainability is an outcome of core business strategy.
Useful Tools
In this section we have collected some more technical tools useful as a guide for those interested in measuring the social and economic impact of a business activity.
SDG COMPASS
The SDG Compass provides guidance for companies on how they can align their strategies as well as measure and manage their contribution to engage with the SDGs. The website includes an inventory mapping commonly used business tools that may be useful to assess the impact of the SDGs on businesses.
Global Reporting initiative (GRI)
The GRI platform offers examples of global best practices for how organisations communicate and demonstrate accountability for their impacts on the environment, economy and people. It provides online courses, including a certified training program, as well as other services and tools to fine-tune and improve your reporting
B Impact Assessment
Used by more than 150,000 businesses, the B Impact Assessment is a digital tool that can help measure, manage, and improve positive impact performance for environment, communities, customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders; receiving a minimum verified score of 80 points on the assessment is also the first step towards B Corp Certification.
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/programs-and-tools/b-impact-assessment/
UNIT 4
Eco-design and green product development
Eco-design or green product development is defined as the integration of environmental aspects into the product development process, by balancing ecological and economic requirements. Eco-design considers environmental aspects at all stages of the product development process, striving for products which make the lowest possible environmental impact throughout the product life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling.
In Europe, there is already a regulation on sustainable product design, the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, which introduced minimum sustainability criteria for certain product categories, and reportedly resulted in a 10% reduction in energy consumption on these products by 2021.
However, the European Commission is aiming for the approval of a new package of standards that will extend the scope of the products concerned. The agreement also stipulates additional requirements and standards for durability, reparability, energy efficiency and recycling. It also aims to address planned obsolescence practices, to prevent products from losing their functionality due to inherent design features, unavailability of spare parts or lack of software updates.
Unit 4
Here are some key principles of eco-design and how they can be integrated into product development:
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Eco-design begins with a comprehensive assessment of the product’s life cycle. This includes evaluating the environmental impact of raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, product use, and disposal. LCA helps identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce environmental burdens.
- Material Selection: Choose materials that have a lower environmental impact. This includes using renewable, recycled, or biodegradable materials whenever possible. Additionally, consider the energy required for material extraction and processing.
- Energy Efficiency: Design products to be energy-efficient during their use phase. This may involve optimising energy consumption, reducing power requirements, or incorporating energy-saving technologies.
- Design for Disassembly and Recycling: Ensure that products are easy to disassemble and recycle at the end of their life. Designing products with standardised components and materials that can be easily separated and recycled helps minimise waste.
- Reducing Waste: Minimise waste during manufacturing by optimising production processes, reducing excess material usage, and implementing lean manufacturing principles.
- Durability and Longevity: Design products to be durable and long-lasting to extend their lifespan. This reduces the need for frequent replacements and reduces overall resource consumption.
- Packaging: Minimise packaging materials and design packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable.
- User Experience and Behavior: Consider how the design influences user behavior. For example, designing products that encourage energy-saving behaviors or promoting reuse and repair rather than disposal.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that products comply with environmental regulations and standards related to eco-design and sustainability.
Integrating eco-design principles into product development requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including designers, engineers, suppliers, and marketers. It involves considering environmental impacts at every stage of the design process and making informed decisions to create products that are both environmentally friendly and commercially viable. By adopting eco-design practices, companies can reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Useful Tools
In this section, we have collected several resources to explore the topic of sustainable design and the circular economy. You will find:
– a free course on sustainable design
– an open-source software on life cycle assessment
– a thematic online magazine
– a step-by-step guide on sustainable design by the United Nations
Useful Tools
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)
MIT OCW offers free online courses related to sustainable design and environmental engineering. Courses like “Design for Sustainability” provide foundational knowledge for entrepreneurs.
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/1-964-design-for-sustainability-fall-2006/
OpenLCA.org
OpenLCA is an open source and free software for Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment. OpenLCA is versatile and able to meet the needs of different user groups, e.g., industry, consultancy, education, and research.
Ellen McArthur Foundation
It is a portal dedicated to the topic of circular economy and sustainable design. It includes many resources for learning and teaching on the subject.
GreenBiz
GreenBiz is a trusted source for news and resources on sustainable business practices. They offer articles, webinars, and reports covering topics like sustainable design, eco-innovation, and circular economy trends.
Design for Sustainability: A Step-by-Step Approach – Report by UNEP
A global guide for designers and industry, it provides support to Ecodesign novices and those looking to further their understanding of the field.
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/design-sustainability-step-step-approach
KEY TAKE AWAY
- Eco-entrepreneurship (or ecopreneurship) is defined as a type of entrepreneurship whose main objective is to solve an environmental problem while generating a profit.
- In the context of the global climate crisis and the pressing need to change the way we do business, eco-entrepreneurship represents both a powerful tool for counteracting the environmental and climate degradation of the planet, and an opportunity for the generation of new ethical and sustainable jobs.
- Eco-entrepreneurship not necessarily has to involve very innovative technological solutions, it can also be a more generic type of business that adopts sustainable strategies or solutions in its management and production processes.
- To be considered sustainable, a business should integrate sustainability principles in all stages of its activity and production processes and consider the impact of its products throughout their entire life cycle (from production to disposal).
- Identifying sustainable business opportunities requires a blend of creativity, market analysis, and understanding of environmental and social trends. Thus, it is important to get updated information about the market trends.
- When developing a new product or service, it is essential that the eco-entrepreneur makes use of the principles and tools of eco-design to minimise its environmental impact.
The carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, organization, event, product, or service, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). It quantifies the impact of human activities in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases) emitted into the atmosphere.
an economic model based inter alia on sharing, leasing, reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling, in an (almost) closed loop, which aims to retain the highest utility and value of products, components and materials at all times
is a way of designing products or processes that work more like natural systems. This design method is intended to replace a make-take-dispose approach which begins with new raw materials mined from the earth and ends with piles of garbage.
The integration of environmental aspects into the product development process, by balancing ecological and economic requirements. Eco-design considers environmental aspects at all stages of the product development process, striving for products which make the lowest possible environmental impact throughout the product life cycle.
is a type of entrepreneurship whose main objective is to solve an environmental problem while generating a profit.
also known as life cycle analysis, is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service.
the term is understood as the ‘condition of a development model that ensures that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.
the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
REFERENCES
- Introduction: The Essence of Ecopreneurship on JSTOR. (n.d.). www.jstor.org. https://www.jstor.org/stable/greemanainte.38.26?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contents
- A Framework for Ecopreneurship: Leading bioneers and environmental managers to ecopreneurship on JSTOR. (n.d.). www.jstor.org. https://www.jstor.org/stable/greemanainte.38.45?seq=1
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024, February 24). Ecopreneurship. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecopreneurship
- Wood, M. (2024, January 11). 39 Green Business Ideas for Sustainable entrepreneurs. NerdWallet. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/sustainable-business-ideas
- Ecodesign rules to ensure sustainable products on EU market | Topics | European Parliament. (2023, May 7). Topics | European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20230629STO01708/ecodesign-rules-to-ensure-sustainable-products-on-eu-market
- Napolitano, P., Napolitano, P., & Napolitano, P. (2024, February 2). Sustainability Business Model Canvas, cos’è e come usarlo per startup e progetti sostenibili. Economyup. https://www.economyup.it/innovazione/sustainability-business-model-canvas-cose-e-come-usarlo-per-startup-e-progetti-sostenibili/
- Ecopreneur.eu. (2024, April 12). Ecopreneur.eu – the European Sustainable Business Federation. https://ecopreneur.eu/
- The triple bottom line: what it is & why it’s important. (2020, December 8). Business Insights Blog. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-is-the-triple-bottom-line
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024b, April 3). Sustainable design. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_design
- THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. (n.d.). https://sdgs.un.org/goals
- GRI – Home. (n.d.). https://www.globalreporting.org/
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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