Eco-efficiency, carrying capacity, eco-space, ecological footprints - these are some of the broad concepts that have been advocated to guide industrial economies towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. This publication explores some of the current debate around these key concepts and examines their potential value in the development and implementation of policies to promote more sustainable consumption and production. It also summarises the conclusions of an expert workshop held in Norway to examine the concepts with the aim of sharpening the conceptual basis for policy development in OECD countries.