Private Sector Guidance: Setting Biobased Plastic Content Targets

The Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA) outlines a framework for companies to transition from virgin fossil-based plastics to responsibly sourced biobased alternatives. The guidance emphasizes that biobased content targets should be measurable, time-bound, and integrated into existing corporate sustainability goals, such as those related to climate, nature, and social performance. It provides a five-step recommended approach: understanding materiality, identifying desired outcomes, aligning with existing goals, developing targets based on portfolio analysis, and evaluating progress. The document also highlights the importance of responsible sourcing, the role of external certifications, and the impact of emerging regulatory frameworks like the Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol's Land Sector and Removals Guidance.

• Biobased content targets are intended to increase the use of responsibly sourced carbon from renewable biomass while reducing the reliance on virgin fossil-based carbon in plastics.
• Effective biobased content targets must adhere to six core principles: they must be measurable, clear, time-bound, responsibly sourced, circular, and material to the business's risk management or financial strategy.
• The BFA recommends a five-step approach for target setting: 1) evaluating the materiality of plastic across the portfolio; 2) identifying environmental, social, and business outcomes; 3) nesting biobased targets under broader material, packaging, climate, nature, or social goals; 4) using portfolio analysis to set specific amounts and percentages; and 5) synchronizing progress reviews with other performance goals.
• Biobased plastic is identified as most beneficial in specific applications where reduction of plastic or the use of recycled content is not a viable option, or where it enables end-of-life fates such as composting in areas with available infrastructure.
• To ensure the greatest environmental benefits, corporations should focus on upstream sourcing and utilize certification schemes that guarantee chain of custody and traceability, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterial’s Standard for Advanced Products.
• Corporate decision-making is currently hindered by a fragmented global policy landscape and significant variance in biomass supply models from entities like the United States Department of Energy and nova-Institute, which creates uncertainty regarding future feedstock availability.
• The upcoming Greenhouse Gas Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance (LSRG), expected in Q4 2025, will clarify how corporations inventory emissions and make claims regarding the climate benefits of land-based biobased plastic feedstocks.

APA

WWF International (2025). Private Sector Guidance: Setting Biobased Plastic Content Targets. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/124/7hsxdtvxc8_BFA_Private_Sector_Guidance_Setting_Biobased_Plastic_Content_Targets.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Private Sector Guidance: Setting Biobased Plastic Content Targets. 2025. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/124/7hsxdtvxc8_BFA_Private_Sector_Guidance_Setting_Biobased_Plastic_Content_Targets.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Private Sector Guidance: Setting Biobased Plastic Content Targets |date=June 2025 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/124/7hsxdtvxc8_BFA_Private_Sector_Guidance_Setting_Biobased_Plastic_Content_Targets.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2025private, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Private Sector Guidance: Setting Biobased Plastic Content Targets}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/124/7hsxdtvxc8_BFA_Private_Sector_Guidance_Setting_Biobased_Plastic_Content_Targets.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }