Concept study planetary boundaries
Governments all around the globe are trying to reduce the environmental impact of resource use through resource efficiency policies. Yet, there exists no scientifically sound objective defining a global or national limit for raw material consumption. The aim of this project is to answer the question of whether it is possible to derive a scientifically-based upper limit for the use of abiotic raw materials based on the planetary boundary concept with current data.
The project identifies and prepares a data basis for the use of abiotic raw materials and their life cycle-wide environmental impacts. Further, operationalization approaches of the planetary boundary concept are examined in order to shows how planetary boundaries (for Germany) can be regionalized today and in the future. Based on this, the project demonstrates which environmental impact categories can be connected with the dimensions of the planetary boundaries. Finally, selected case studies critically examine the challenges that arise when environmental impact categories and the dimensions of the planetary borders are linked in the context of a regionalized planetary boundary.
Runtime
June 2019 – March 2021
Client
Umweltbundesamt
Partner
adelphi
Sustainable Solutions Germany (SSG)