Towards companies that perform within the earth’s regenerative capacity COMPANIES THAT PERFORM WITHIN THE EARTH’S REGENERATIVE CAPACITY

The latest Living Planet Report of WWF shows that we used the regenerative capacity of 1.5 planets in 2010 at present consumption levels. An increasing number of companies set targets to lower the impact of their activities on the environment, but such targets do not inform if the company performs within the limits of the earth’s regenerative capacity. Inspired by the concept of planetary boundaries of Rockström et al. (2009), we aim to link corporate activities to global, regional and local boundaries. In this paper, we introduce a methodological framework in which we link midpoint indicators of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to scientifically established boundaries at global, regional and local level. The methodological framework consists of three steps: (1) quantify environmental impacts at product level, (2) define scientific boundaries at global, regional and local level and (3) set targets at sector and product level. The methodological framework has been applied to Eneco, an energy company in the Netherlands striving for sustainable energy for everyone, to set targets for climate change (within the 2 degrees’ pathway) and particulate matter (below the WHO concentration target) in their power generation and supply. The methodological framework should be seen as a first step towards absolute boundary setting for companies.