Ensayo Journal

Journal of Cleaner Production 12 (2004) 809–823 www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro

Editorial article

Industrial ecology in the strategic sustainable development model: strategic applications of industrial ecology
Jouni Korhonen Ã,1
Research Institute for Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Kanslerinrinne 1 (Pinni B), 33014 Tampere, Finland

Abstract In a recent article of this journal,Robert et al. [Journal of Cleaner Production 10 (2002) 197] define five hierarchical and interdependent levels for a systems approach for strategic sustainable development (SSD) to move toward the desired outcome, the state of sustainability. This paper evaluates the concept of industrial ecology (IE) by considering its application and use in terms of the strategic sustainable development model.The author argues that the applications of the concept of IE can contribute to all five levels in the hierarchical model. However, the paper shows that if IE is used outside the systems model, four risks and difficulties are generated that can lead to suboptimal solutions, problem displacement and problem shifting. Recommendations derived from ecological economics and environmental management are madefor ways to proceed with the integration of IE into the broader SSD concepts and approaches. # 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Sustainable development; Strategic sustainable development model; Sustainability; Industrial ecology; Industrial ecosystem

1. Introduction In an article recently published in the Journal of ` Cleaner Production, Robert et al. [1] (see also [2])present a holistic systems model for strategic sustainable development (SSD)2 designed to help society move toward the desired state or the successful outcome3 of such development; sustainability [3,4]. ` Robert et al. argue that, because of the existence of a growing number of different approaches, methods and tools now commonly used in the field and practice of sustainable development, there is a riskthat the tools are perceived as being in competition with each other or contradictory. The different approaches and tools can present conflicting suggestions for policy and management, and hence, can make it difficult to achieve the
Tel.: +358-3-215-7959; fax: +358-3-215-6502. E-mail address: jouni.korhonen@uta.fi (J. Korhonen). 1 This work is supported by the Academy of Finland research projectRegional Industrial Ecosystem Management (RIEM), code 53437. 2 Robert et al. did not use the acronym SSD, but this author uses it for brevity in this article. 3 See the discussion on sustainability as an end-state vs. a continuous process later on in the paper. 0959-6526/$ - see front matter # 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.02.026
Ã

desired state ofsustainability. To solve this problem, the hierarchical systemic model for SSD with interde` pendent levels is developed. Robert et al. argue that, when used within this model, the many tools and approaches can be complementary to each other and can be used in parallel in the process of making progress toward sustainable development. The different levels in the model are interdependent. The objective of thisarticle is to consider the use and the application of the concept of industrial ecology (IE) in terms of the SSD model. The article is based upon the concepts presented by authors such as Frosch and Gallopoulos [5], Tibbs [6], Jelinski et al. [7], Graedel and Allenby [8], Ayres and Ayres [9], Graedel [10], Erkman [11], Ehrenfeld [3], Chertow [12], den Hond [13], Korhonen [14, 15], Korhonen et al.[16]. The IE concepts can be applied to and be used on all five levels of the SSD model. This author argues that if IE is used outside the model, it can result in difficulties for societal members to make progress in sustainable development and to significant difficulties for the development and implementation of policy and management that can lead to sustainable societies. Hence, IE should be used...