Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are engines of economic growth, providing livelihoods to large populations in South Asian countries. However, over exploitation of natural resources can severely impact sustainability of industrial production systems. This paper looks at the opportunities for clean growth in the textile, brick and steel re-rolling industries sectors by reducing carbon and water footprint.

Case studies from these three sectors demonstrate resource efficiency in different stages of the supply chain that are relevant because of (a) high resource consumption and environmental impacts; (b) relevance to local economy; and, (c) replication potential .