International best practice illustrates that the types of economic, environmental, and social benefits from Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) are substantial, transcending conventional business case benefits. EIPs enable benefits from greater collaboration between tenant companies, service providers and local communities, allowing companies to transform environmental problems into efficiency gains, by using resources more effectively and enabling companies to draw on common services and infrastructure.
In order to unleash the potential of Eco-Industrial Park concepts and practices, UNIDO has developed a set of EIP Tools for industrial parks and policymakers. By using the tools parks and countries can advance the transformation of industrial parks and zones towards EIPs.
EIP Tools
Customized, flexible tools to assist practitioners with the development and implementation of eco-industrial parks and related initiatives
EIP Publications
Best practice, lessons learnt and other relevant EIP publications
EIP Learning
Self-paced online training on various aspects of planning and implementing EIP
Eco-industrial Parks (EIPs) are key drivers for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development. By working towards a better Environmental, Social and Economic performance, as defined in the International EIP Framework, Eco-Industrial Parks provide many benefits.
Eco-industrial parks are competitive and provide decent job opportunities. Their environmental footprint is lower per unit produced as they promote efficiency gains, providing better access to finance and technical support. Common services create better working conditions and enable community cohesion.
EIP benefits go well beyond the conventional business case benefits. They are also strategic in nature because they lead to reduced exposure to resource and licensing risks. EIP approaches build a better reputation with key stakeholders, value chains and communities.
Eco-Industrial Park concepts bring benefits to companies, industrial park management and policymakers by supporting both local and national environmental and resource use goals as well as economic development of the countries.