Designing within planetary boundaries: a systematic review and development of requirements for a design support tool

ABSTRACT:

The study examines integrating absolute sustainability, based on planetary boundaries, into product design and development. A review of current frameworks shows that they focus on relative sustainability and lack mechanisms to encourage innovation within ecological limits. Analysis of fourteen publications shows that a design support tool should facilitate early-stage decision-making, incorporate scientific thresholds and circular economy principles, align with the SDGs and provide guidance on product development to create sustainable and transformative product solutions.