A new consistent framework for assignment of safe operating space to B2C and B2B industries for use in absolute environmental sustainability assessments. (1st May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oosterhoff, Hendrik Christiaan; Golsteijn, Laura; Laurent, Alexis; Ryberg, Morten Walbech
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 399(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05-01
• Subjects: Absolute sustainability -- Sharing principles -- Distributive justice -- Safe operating space -- Planetary boundaries -- Organizational life-cycle assessment; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The planetary boundaries define a safe operating space for humanity to act within without potentially destabilizing the planet. The safe operating space is often used a sustainability reference in Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessments (AESAs) where a share of the safe operating space (SoSOS) is assigned to the assessed activity. An identified challenge is that current methods are suited for business-to-consumer (B2C) industries and companies, but ill-suited for assessments of business-to-business (B2B) as the sharing is often based on the direct value to humans. Thus, this study presents a systematic framework for assigning a SoSOS to both B2C and B2B industries and companies. The framework uses multi-region input-output models to link industries and to estimate the direct and indirect value to humans for both B2B and B2C industries. The framework was tested in a case study for a B2B company to show its application and to evaluate the sensitivity of the framework towards different modelling choices. The results of the case study and sensitivity analyses were used to provide recommendations for further improvement of the framework. While there is still need for improvement and refinement, the framework shows large potential. Mainly because it directly facilitates AESA of B2B industries and companies, in order to help gauging their environmental performance relative to absolute boundaries and, thus, provide better basis supporting strategic sustainability related activities.