PLM and Sustainability

The Paris 2016 climate agreement has been the starting point for many companies and organizations to fight climate change and implement measures to protect the planet’s resources for future generations. The aim to reduce global warming by 1.5 °C above pre-industry levels by 2030 seems unachievable. There is a drastic economic and behavioral change needed to reach these objectives. Innovation, new products and processes, and regulations will be needed in the upcoming years. All these topics make PLM the foundational domain for a sustainable future, as it addresses the circular economy and the environmental impact of products during manufacturing, operation and compliance with more and more restrictive regulations. This chapter will focus on the major interactions between PLM and Sustainability, implying the need for digital transformation in the PLM domain.