Industrial Transformation for Absolute Sustainability

How can we ensure that the green transition of industry actually stays within the limits of the planet – rather than merely becoming “less bad”? Through a new collaboration between Denmark, Australia, and Japan, DTU, Clean, and strong international partners bring together researchers, clusters, and companies to develop and disseminate methods for Absolute Sustainability.

Purpose and focus

The project establishes a new transcontinental network focused on translating global environmental limits – planetary boundaries – into practical tools that industry can apply in product development, strategy, and decision-making processes.

The objectives are to:

• strengthen the development and application of Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment (AESA)

• connect research-based methods with concrete industrial needs

• build a pipeline of joint international project proposals (e.g. Horizon Europe, MSCA Staff Exchange and Eurostars/Innowwide)

• position Denmark and the partners as drivers of sustainability-driven industrial transformation

Why work with Absolute Sustainability?

Many companies currently use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to reduce environmental impacts. However, traditional LCAs typically provide relative comparisons – for example whether product A performs better than product B. They do not show whether a solution overall remains within the Earth’s carrying capacity.

Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment (AESA) addresses this challenge by benchmarking environmental impacts against quantified planetary boundaries. This provides a more accurate basis for decision-making and supports a transition based on what is necessary – not only on what is possible.

The network’s three focus areas

The project is structured around three interconnected work streams designed to translate methodological development into concrete international collaborations and new innovation projects.

Scientific method development and international positioning

Through international conference sessions – including at CIRP Life Cycle Engineering and CIRP Design in Japan – as well as the further development of the conference From Less Bad to Good Enough in Denmark, the project strengthens the shared scientific foundation and the international visibility of Absolute Sustainability.

Strategic project development and funding

Partner workshops and ongoing network activities will identify joint project ideas and mature applications for international programmes. The goal is to establish a robust pipeline of joint proposals and strengthen collaboration across continents.

Industrial anchoring and implementation

Industry-focused workshops – including in Australia – as well as a virtual seminar series will ensure close engagement with companies and support the development of demonstration and innovation projects at TRL 3–5 level within areas such as energy, manufacturing and water.

Partners and roles

The network brings together research environments and cluster organisations with complementary competencies:

• DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark (project management and scientific coordination via the DTU Centre for Absolute Sustainability)

• Clean – The Danish Water and Environmental Cluster (mobilisation of Danish companies and connection to innovation and funding opportunities)

• MADE – Manufacturing Academy of Denmark (industrial anchoring within the manufacturing sector)

• University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia

• The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), Japan

• RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre, Australia

Expected outcomes

By the end of the project, the network is expected to have:

• established a strong international collaboration on Absolute Sustainability

• mobilised new companies and partners in Denmark, Australia and Japan

• developed a concrete pipeline of joint international project proposals

• laid the foundation for larger demonstration and innovation projects

• attracted additional partners with the aim of continuing activities beyond the funding period

For Danish companies – including SMEs – the project provides access to international research environments, new markets, and a stronger methodological foundation for documented sustainability.

Are you a company, knowledge institution, or public organisation interested in working with absolute sustainability and international innovation projects? Contact Clean to learn how you can become part of the network’s activities.