Application of the sustainability target method: supply line case studies

Abstract

Industrial and commercial activities are being found to have significant effects on natural ecological systems, making it increasingly important to evaluate the environmental aspects of these activities in relation to the Earth's "carrying capacity". The sustainability target method (STM) utilizes carrying capacity estimates and economic information to provide a practical sustainability target for individual businesses and products. The carrying capacity is combined with economic and life cycle inventory data to determine the relative indicator resource productivity for environmental performance and the absolute indicator eco-efficiency for sustainability. The STM is applied to evaluate the production of common materials related to electronics products and the generation of electrical energy using various fossil fuel sources. The results are compared to two other methods.