Planetary boundaries: implications for asset impairment

Scientific findings support the existence of nine planetary boundaries which define a safe operating space for humanity and the conditions necessary to sustain human life. The declining state of the environment (4 of the 9 boundaries have been breached) creates significant risk factors for asset impairment. Risks result not only from environmental challenges and resulting resource constraints (e.g. limits to fossil fuel extraction and carbon constraints) but also changing technology landscapes and social expectations. This article is one of the first to discuss the implications of changes in planetary boundary conditions for asset impairment and recognising an impairment event and sets out an agenda for future research.