ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that processes of implementing eco-efficiency strategies have resulted in a positive but unpredictable outcome. The most important sustainable development trend within industry is the increasing attention being paid to eco-efficiency. This concept of eco-efficiency was introduced by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a group of prominent companies. A number of companies, including Philips Electronics, Akzo Nobel and Dow, are making efforts to put the eco-efficiency approach into practice. Experiences gained so far with the eco-efficiency approach have shown that it is perfectly possible to create win – win situations. Since the early 1990s the environmental policy of the Philips Consumer Electronics division has evolved from having a purely process orientation towards a focus on consumer electronics products themselves. To generate ideas for eco-efficiency improvements, the management of each business group organised brainstorming sessions during 1996—1997.
