Jonas Bengtsson on His New Role: Advancing Edge Impact's Leadership in LCAs, EPDs, and the Circular Economy
Earlier this year, we welcomed Alison Rowe as our new Global CEO, while our co-founder and former CEO, Jonas Bengtsson, stepped into the role of Global Director of Impact.
We took this opportunity to sit down with Jonas and explore his plans for the future—advancing our technical capabilities and strengthening our leadership in areas like product certifications, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), the Circular Economy, and Carbon Footprints.
Below, Jonas shares his insights on these topics and more.
A frequent inquiry from organisations new to sustainability is understanding the myriad of standards and certification options and alternatives in the market.
They often ask:
- Which certifications and declarations are most relevant to our business and customers?
- Is it feasible for us to obtain these certifications?
- What are the associated costs, timelines, and required resources?
We all wish it was easier to navigate the world of sustainability and ESG, to get more focus on action and progress. It is a rapidly evolving and relatively new field, which comes with challenges for organisations to keep up and navigate, but also opportunity to stand out and lead the way as a great demand for leadership.
There’s been a lot of development and change for corporate reporting, it’s a whole topic on its own, often referred to the alphabet soup of ESG reporting.
When it comes to products, it’s more established, but still complex to navigate the difference between eco-label certifications, Environmental Product Declarations, carbon footprints, carbon neutral certification, hazardous material declarations, recycled content declarations, etc. All with several options to consider with regards to their standards, costs, complexity, credibility, brand recognition, recognition in rating tools, etc.
Most organisations would probably agree that there is no perfect solution that meets all your needs, you have to be clear on what your main priority is, and compromise on the nice to have’s.
These discussions and decision-making often touch on the core of an organisation's brand and identity, influencing how they wish to be perceived. Whether they aim to be seen as leaders with certified performance, champions of transparency and continuous improvement, or simply compliant with customer needs, it’s essential to align their sustainability efforts with their strategic goals.
One of the most urgent questions we receive is, "We’ve been asked for our EPD or carbon footprint. What is it, and how quickly can we get one?"
When organisations are asked for their EPD or carbon footprint, it signifies a growing demand for transparency and accountability.
While the urgency can be challenging, the process of developing and publishing these environmental performance metrics offers substantial value:
- Firstly, presenting this data in a clear and compelling manner can enhance your brand, positioning your organisation as a leader in sustainability.
- Secondly, having detailed environmental performance information arms your sales team with valuable insights to leverage in customer conversations, potentially strengthening client relationships and opening new business opportunities.
- Moreover, the process of creating EPDs or carbon footprints provides critical feedback to your product development, procurement, and executive teams. This data can highlight areas for environmental performance improvement and identify cost-saving opportunities.
By investing in these sustainability measures, organisations not only comply with market demands but also drive innovation and efficiency within their operations. It’s a strategic investment that can yield long-term benefits for both the organisation and the environment.
Organisations that we deem to get the most value from their investments in environmental assessments and declarations are the ones that take a long-term and integrated view and approach, knowing that this will be an integral part of their story and identity from hereon.
They invest upfront in getting their data complete and right, in positioning their EPDs or carbon footprints in their overall sustainability and corporate strategy, and they invest in making sure the actual declarations are accessible and easy to understand both internally and externally.
What role do LCAs play in advancing sustainability, and how can organisations integrate them into their operations and turn them into a competitive advantage?
LCAs are critical for understanding the environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle.
By integrating LCAs, organisations can identify hotspots, make informed decisions on materials and processes, and develop strategies to minimise negative impacts. This integration not only supports sustainability goals but also enhances brand credibility and customer trust.
The power of LCAs lies in their ability to provide a comprehensive analysis of environmental impacts, enabling organisations to benchmark their performance against industry standards. Benchmarking with LCAs allows organisations to identify best practices, set ambitious yet achievable sustainability targets, and track their progress over time. Moreover, having third-party verified LCAs or EPDs add an extra layer of credibility, ensuring that the data is accurate, transparent, and reliable.
Third-party verified LCAs and benchmarks are among the highest standard credentials for sustainability, signalling to stakeholders that an organisation is committed to rigorous environmental performance standards. This can differentiate a business in the market, attract environmentally conscious consumers, and potentially secure investment from stakeholders prioritising sustainability.
By leveraging the power of LCAs as the most comprehensive and recognised environmental assessment method, organisations not only position themselves to improve their environmental performance but also gain a competitive edge, demonstrating leadership in sustainability and driving long-term value.
Our team of experts will help your organisation create a robust sustainability strategy that's grounded in data and circular thinking. Learn more about our services here.
