A framework for estimating regional footprint of companies towards absolute sustainability
Abstract
Global warming and water scarcity are two endangered environmental indicators of environmental boundaries. The Industrial sector is an intensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter and water consumer, and has a strong potential for improvement. The combination of the Planetary Boundary concept and Life Cycle Assessment offers an analytical basis for a target-driven life cycle engineering in a move towards absolute sustainability on the company level. The aim of this paper is to provide a framework for quantifying the current environmental footprints of companies throughout their value-chains with respect to the regional distribution of emissions between involved countries and companies. The framework helps companies to estimate their regional footprint, and accordingly set the goal for reducing their environmental footprints to stay within their regionally determined share of the space within the planetary boundaries. In addition, it helps companies to understand the water stress of their products throughout their value chains.
Info
Journal Article, 2019
UN SDG Classification
DK Main Research Area
Science/Technology
