Factor Four and Factor Ten

Factor Four and Factor 10 are two examples of targets proposed for concomitant increases in ecoefficiency and reductions in material usage. Factor Four sets forth a target of doubling welfare while resource consumption simultaneously halves. Factor 10 proposes that material flows should be reduced by 90 percent over a period of 30–50 years.

Both Factor Four and Factor 10 were first proposed in 1994. Factor Four was set forth by Ernst von Weizsäcker and Amory Lovins, while Factor 10 was introduced in the Carnoules Declaration published by the International Factor 10 Club. Each proposal rose from the concern that worldwide stores of natural resources were being drawn down at unsustainable rates and the conviction that changes in production methods coupled with technological advances could be instituted to not only stem the overdraft, but to reverse the damage already done. Both proposals contended that these changes could be adopted without reducing living standards, rather that they would be improved. Factor Four (republished in English in 1997), forms an extended counterargument to the claims that adopting environmental protection measures would be too expensive and would result in drastically reduced economic prospects. Other factors ranging from the original four to as high as 50 have subsequently been put forth by various groups. In January 2010, von Weizsäcker and several coauthors released an update to Factor Four titled “Factor Five: Transforming the Global Economy Through 80 Percent Improvements in Resource Productivity.”

Factor Four and Factor 10 have been more readily accepted as government programs in Europe than anywhere else. Their value lies in encouraging resource conservation through technological innovation. The case studies highlighting the successes of early adopters of technologies to reduce the use of material inputs are valuable in recruiting other businesses to do the same or to undertake innovation in their own industry.