IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/envira/v40y2008i6p1331-1346.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Reconsidering the Economics Logic of Ecological Modernization

Author

Listed:
  • Jouni Korhonen

    (Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Technology, Ã…bo Akademi University, Biskopsgatan 8, FI 20500 Ã…bo, Finland)

Abstract

This paper shows the main limitations and difficulties in the efficiency argument of ecological modernization. Eight limitations in the concept of eco-efficiency are revealed. Recommendations to improve the use of eco-efficiency in ecological modernization policy and management are derived from the critique. Eco-efficiency serves as an important technical tool, practical instrument, or indicator in environmental policy and management, but is not suitable as the overall goal and strategic vision.

Suggested Citation

  • Jouni Korhonen, 2008. "Reconsidering the Economics Logic of Ecological Modernization," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 40(6), pages 1331-1346, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:40:y:2008:i:6:p:1331-1346
    DOI: 10.1068/a38363
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/a38363
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1068/a38363?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rennings, Klaus & Wiggering, Hubert, 1997. "Steps towards indicators of sustainable development: Linking economic and ecological concepts," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 25-36, January.
    2. Norton, Bryan & Costanza, Robert & Bishop, Richard C., 1998. "The evolution of preferences: Why 'sovereign' preferences may not lead to sustainable policies and what to do about it," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2-3), pages 193-211, February.
    3. Matutinovic, Igor, 2002. "Organizational patterns of economies: an ecological perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 421-440, March.
    4. Hinterberger, Friedrich & Luks, Fred & Schmidt-Bleek, Friedrich, 1997. "Material flows vs. 'natural capital': What makes an economy sustainable?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Wackernagel, Mathis & Rees, William E., 1997. "Perceptual and structural barriers to investing in natural capital: Economics from an ecological footprint perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 3-24, January.
    6. Martin L. Weitzman, 2000. "Economic Profitability Versus Ecological Entropy," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(1), pages 237-263.
    7. John Ehrenfeld, 2003. "Putting a Spotlight on Metaphors and Analogies in Industrial Ecology," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 7(1), pages 1-4, January.
    8. Jouni Korhonen, 2002. "The dominant economics paradigm and corporate social responsibility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 66-79, March.
    9. Matutinovic, Igor, 2001. "The aspects and the role of diversity in socioeconomic systems: an evolutionary perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 239-256, November.
    10. Korhonen, Jouni & Snakin, Juha-Pekka, 2005. "Analysing the evolution of industrial ecosystems: concepts and application," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 169-186, January.
    11. John Ehrenfeld & Nicholas Gertler, 1997. "Industrial Ecology in Practice: The Evolution of Interdependence at Kalundborg," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 1(1), pages 67-79, January.
    12. Daly, Herman E., 1990. "Toward some operational principles of sustainable development," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 2(1), pages 1-6, April.
    13. Ring, Irene, 1997. "Evolutionary strategies in environmental policy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 237-249, December.
    14. R. J. Welford, 1998. "Editorial: Corporate environmental management, technology and sustainable development: postmodern perspectives and the need for a critical research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(1), pages 1-12, February.
    15. Figge, Frank & Hahn, Tobias, 2004. "Sustainable Value Added--measuring corporate contributions to sustainability beyond eco-efficiency," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(2), pages 173-187, February.
    16. Jouni Korhonen & Fredrik von Malmborg & Peter A. Strachan & John R. Ehrenfeld, 2004. "Management and policy aspects of industrial ecology: an emerging research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(5), pages 289-305, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jouni Korhonen & Thomas P. Seager, 2008. "Beyond eco‐efficiency: a resilience perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(7), pages 411-419, November.
    2. Korhonen, Jouni & Snäkin, Juha-Pekka, 2015. "Quantifying the relationship of resilience and eco-efficiency in complex adaptive energy systems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 83-92.
    3. Korhonen, Jouni & Snakin, Juha-Pekka, 2005. "Analysing the evolution of industrial ecosystems: concepts and application," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 169-186, January.
    4. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    5. Jouni Korhonen, 2003. "Should we measure corporate social responsibility?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(1), pages 25-39, March.
    6. Jouni Korhonen & Fredrik von Malmborg & Peter A. Strachan & John R. Ehrenfeld, 2004. "Management and policy aspects of industrial ecology: an emerging research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(5), pages 289-305, September.
    7. Ang, Frederic & Van Passel, Steven & Mathijs, Erik, 2011. "An aggregate resource efficiency perspective on sustainability: A Sustainable Value application to the EU-15 countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 99-110.
    8. Jouni Korhonen & Birk Granberg, 2020. "Sweden Backcasting, Now?—Strategic Planning for Covid-19 Mitigation in a Liberal Democracy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, May.
    9. Rammel, Christian & van den Bergh, Jeroen C. J. M., 2003. "Evolutionary policies for sustainable development: adaptive flexibility and risk minimising," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(2-3), pages 121-133, December.
    10. Jouni Korhonen, 2002. "The dominant economics paradigm and corporate social responsibility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(1), pages 66-79, March.
    11. Korhonen, Jouni & Wihersaari, Margareta & Savolainen, Ilkka, 2001. "Industrial ecosystem in the Finnish forest industry: using the material and energy flow model of a forest ecosystem in a forest industry system," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 145-161, October.
    12. Michael Ross Jayne, 2001. "Managing environmental risk in existing light industrial estates," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(6), pages 365-382, November.
    13. Hezri, Adnan A. & Dovers, Stephen R., 2006. "Sustainability indicators, policy and governance: Issues for ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 86-99, November.
    14. Maria Claudia Lucchetti & Gabriella Arcese, 2014. "Tourism Management and Industrial Ecology: A Theoretical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(8), pages 1-10, August.
    15. Florian Lüdeke‐Freund & Stefan Gold & Nancy M. P. Bocken, 2019. "A Review and Typology of Circular Economy Business Model Patterns," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 36-61, February.
    16. Rennings, Klaus & Koschel, Henrike & Brockmann, Karl Ludwig & Kuhn, Isabel, 1999. "A regulatory framework for a policy of sustainability: lessons from the neo-liberal school," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 197-212, February.
    17. Niccolucci, V. & Galli, A. & Reed, A. & Neri, E. & Wackernagel, M. & Bastianoni, S., 2011. "Towards a 3D National Ecological Footprint Geography," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(16), pages 2939-2944.
    18. Rachelle LeBlanc & Carole Tranchant & Yves Gagnon & Raymond Côté, 2016. "Potential for Eco-Industrial Park Development in Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada): A Comparative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-18, May.
    19. Miguel A. Artacho-Ramírez & Bélgica Pacheco-Blanco & Víctor A. Cloquell-Ballester & Mónica Vicent & Irina Celades, 2020. "Quick Wins Workshop and Companies Profiling to Analyze Industrial Symbiosis Potential. Valenciaport’s Cluster as Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.
    20. Figge, Frank & Thorpe, Andrea Stevenson, 2019. "The symbiotic rebound effect in the circular economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 61-69.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:40:y:2008:i:6:p:1331-1346. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.