author : Lim, Dong-soon (Industrial Competitiveness Division)

1. An Overview
The challenge of achieving the desired growth in industrial production is quite difficult, due to the need to reduce pollution from industry and other municipal sources to lessen adverse effects on public health and the environment. The concept of ‘sustainable industrial development’ lies in resolving environmental issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, acidification, and so on, which mainly stem from industrial activities. By reducing the generation of pollutants during the entire process of product design, production, usage and waste disposal, we can improve living conditions as well as achieve continued progress of mankind by raising the value and competitiveness of commerce.
Cleaner production(CP) is, according to UNEP, the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy to processes and products to reduce risks to humans and the environment. For production processes, cleaner production includes conserving raw materials and energy, eliminating toxic raw materials and reducing the quantity and toxicity of all emissions and wastes before they leave a process. For products, the strategy focuses on reducing impacts along the entire life cycle of the product, from raw material extraction to the ultimate disposal of the product. For services, it incorporates environmental concerns in designing and delivering services. Cleaner production requires changing attitudes, responsible environmental management and evaluating technology options......