Towards sustainable business models with a novel life cycle assessment method
Journal article, 2022

Business model (BM) innovation for sustainability is hampered by a lack of tools for environmental assessment and guidance at the BM level. Conventional life cycle assessment (LCA) neglects the economic and socio-technical mechanisms within a BM, and tools based on the BM canvas (BMC) cannot provide recommendations substantiated by environmental data. Here, a new method, BM-LCA, is applied to a case comparing the selling and renting of jackets, using profit as basis of comparison. Results identify how business parameters influence environmental performance, permitting analysis for decoupling within a business practice. This is made possible by the unique way the method links physical life cycle and the monetary flows of a BM. Usefulness of BM-LCA is discussed relative to BM innovation, business strategy and similar tools. BM-LCA provides insights into a broad range of BM elements and emerges as useful for business strategy. By measuring BM environmental performance, it helps determine what BM to compete with and support critical analysis of business against greenwashing. BM-LCA also enables identification of BM elements in greatest need of environmental innovation. BM-LCA appears as a promising tool for guiding business companies towards sustainability, filling a space between LCA and BMC. The method offers a practical way for business and LCA experts to merge their respective knowledge.

life cycle assessment

business model canvas

business strategy

business model innovation

business model

decoupling

Author

Giulia Goffetti

University of Siena

Daniel Böckin

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Henrikke Baumann

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Anne-Marie Tillman

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Thomas Zobel

Luleå University of Technology

Business Strategy and the Environment

0964-4733 (ISSN) 1099-0836 (eISSN)

Vol. 31 5 2019-2035

Mistra REES (Resource-effective and efficient solutions) phase 2

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra) (2019-00239), 2019-12-01 -- 2023-12-31.

TwinWins: Measuring business model environmental performance

Kamprad Family Foundation, 2024-03-31 -- 2027-03-31.

Circularis

VINNOVA (2016-03267), 2016-10-01 -- 2019-09-30.

Subject Categories

Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified

Environmental Management

Environmental Analysis and Construction Information Technology

DOI

10.1002/bse.3005

More information

Latest update

5/3/2024 1