An efficiency-driven approach for global ecological industrial parks

Abstract

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are an innovative solution for balancing industrial development and environmental sustainability. This study presents a novel three-step model for the comprehensive performance analysis of EIPs, employing a dataset comprising 133 EIPs from various countries worldwide. The primary objectives include understanding EIP operational efficiency, proposing a benchmark-learning roadmap, and analyzing the interplay of the environmental, economic, and societal factors influencing EIP performance. The findings suggest that an EIP's size does not significantly influence its operational efficiency, offering strategic insights for businesses that are considering a transition to EIPs. The benchmark-learning roadmap identifies suitable reference parks for each EIP, providing practical guidelines for performance enhancement. Furthermore, it underscores the crucial roles of energy management, inter-enterprise resource exchange, and social welfare services in bolstering EIPs' economic benefits. These insights present compelling evidence of the potential for symbiotic relationships between industrial growth and sustainability within an EIP framework. In conclusion, this study serves as a comprehensive blueprint for EIP management, suggesting that EIPs can effectively drive sustainable industrial development without compromising economic performance. These findings have important implications for policymakers, business leaders, and EIP managers regarding the pursuit of sustainable industrial practices.