Industrial Ecology

Industrial ecology is the study of industrial systems and their relationships with environmental and socioeconomic systems.

The field analyzes both production and consumer activities, looking at the flows of material, energy, capital, labor, technology, and information. Industrial ecology also examines the effects of these flows on the environment and the influences of technological, economic, political, regulatory, and social factors on the use of resources.

The objective is to better inform the integration of environmental and social concerns into the design and management of industrial and consumer activities.

The NAE has produced a series of leading publications related to industrial ecology.