Integrating ecosystem services into the development of an industrial area: a case study of the Xingsheng Group, China

Ecosystem services play a critical role in the functions of the Earth’s life-support system. They are the source for the economy of human kind. Identified as significant for sustainable development, ecosystem services are... [ view full abstract ]

Ecosystem services play a critical role in the functions of the Earth’s life-support system. They are the source for the economy of human kind. Identified as significant for sustainable development, ecosystem services are increasingly being put on the policy agendas. Linking the concept of ecosystem services with industrial ecology (IE) has begun to be investigated by a few researchers and practitioners of the IE field. For example, they argued that it is necessary to understand and consider the ecosystem services of the area where an industrial park is situated; especially for the design and operation of eco-industrial parks (EIPs). Xingsheng Group is an iron ore mining and processing dominated company in China, which covers many symbiotic linkages in an industrial area. During the process of its development, it takes many initiatives to recover and repair the ecosystem services of the industrial area where it is situated. For this reason, it is designated as the National Green Mine Demonstration Enterprise by the Ministry of Land and Resources of China. Taking Xingsheng Group as an example, this paper aims to introduce the initiatives on recovering and repairing ecosystem services that Xingsheng Group takes and investigate the drivers for integrating ecosystem services into the development of this industrial area. The information used in this paper is from investigation on site and open ended interviews. It shows that Xingsheng Group has achieved many ecosystem service benefits, such as air quality regulation and climate regulation, storm water runoff management, water purification and wastewater treatment, providing wildlife habitat, assisting with pollination, and providing recreational benefits. The drivers that promote Xingsheng Group to recover and repair the ecosystem services mainly encompass aspects of company leaders, policy, economy, management, security and society. Although this paper is based on the context of China and takes an iron ore mining and processing dominated company as an example, it will be helpful to understand the ecosystem service benefits that an industrial area can be achieved and the dynamics to integrate ecosystem services into its development.