Industrial ecology and industrial ecosystems

Industrial ecology (IE) is an emerging framework for environmental management, seeking transformation of the industrial system in order to match its inputs and outputs to planetary and local carrying capacity. A central IE goal is to move from a linear to a closed-loop system in all realms of human production and consumption. In this and other ways the industrial world can move closer to an ecological model in its dynamics. Industrial ecosystems embody a concrete strategy for developing closed-loop systems locally, in industrial parks or regions. Functioning examples can be found and new projects are on the drawing boards. Such concepts and projects demonstrate key steps on the path toward sustainable development.