International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—Eco-efficiency (EE) is a concept for quantifying the relationship between economic value creation and environmental impacts. In other words, to be eco-efficient is to add value to goods or services while reducing adverse environmental impacts. In this study, the Eco-indicator 99 was used as a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) tool to assess environmental impacts. The optimization of EE refers to the maximization of environmental improvement, the minimization of the cost of environmental improvement, or both. Linear programming (LP) was used as an environmental improvement strategy tool to facilitate the optimization of EE. Finally, the optimal strategy for reducing environmental impact in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was used as a case study.

Index Terms—Eco-efficiency (EF), environmental impact assessment (EIA), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), linear programing (LP).

K. F. R. Liu is with the Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan 24301, ROC (e-mail: kevinliu@mail.mcut.edu.tw).
J. Y. Kuo is with the Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is also with the Department of Science and Information Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan 10608, ROC (e-mail: jykuo@ntut.edu.tw).
Y. H. Chang is with the Zig Sheng Industrial CO., LTD, Taipei City, Taiwan 10342, ROC (e-mail: old.165@hotmail.com).
H. H. Liang is with the Department of Architecture, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan 36003, ROC (e-mail: lhh@nuu.edu.tw).

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Cite: Kevin Fong-Rey Liu, Jong-Yih Kuo, Yuan-Hua Chang, and Han-Hsi Liang, "Optimization of Life Cycle Assessment-Based Eco-efficiency," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 211-215, 2016.