Professor Ester van der Voet Honored with International Society Award in Industrial Ecology
Ester van der Voet received the International Society Award in Industrial Ecology. She is awarded this price for her outstanding contributions and leadership in the field of industrial ecology, and her tireless efforts to promote sustainability and resource management. The ceremony took place on the last day of the International Conference on Industrial Ecology in Leiden.
The International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE) presents the award every two years to individuals who made outstanding progress in the field of industrial ecology and showed exemplary dedication to the subject. That includes promoting a better understanding of the interrelationships between human systems and the environment.
According to colleagues of professor Van der Voet, she is an example in this field due to her unwavering dedication to this cause, combined with her exceptional research. ‘Thank you Ester, for being an inspiring colleague,’ says Scientific director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) Martina Vijver. ‘We are so proud of what you've achieved. You really deserve this price!’
Material and Substance Flow Analysis
Van der Voet researches how we can reduce the environmental impact of natural resources and yet continue to use them. That doesn’t only include using products longer, but also better product designs and recycling. The concept ‘urban mining’ is one of her main research focusses. ‘There are huge quantities of natural resources in circulation,’ she said in a previous article. ‘If you can reuse them, you don’t have to get them from a mine far away but can get them here in the Netherlands instead.’
As a professor of Sustainable Resource Use, she is also one of the founders of the field of Material and Substance Flow Analysis. She has revolutionized the way to analyze and understand material flows and identifying critical areas where resource efficiency can be enhanced. And her contributions go beyond academia. As a distinguished member of the International Resource Panel of the United Nations, she plays a pivotal role in advising governments and organizations on sustainable resource management strategies. Her expertise and dedication have positively influenced global initiatives aimed at achieving a more sustainable and equitable future.
The International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE) is a global network of scholars, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers dedicated to advancing the field of industrial ecology. Through research, education, and collaboration, the ISIE aims to foster a sustainable and equitable transition to a more circular and resource-efficient economy.