What EA - Earth Action does

EA - Earth Action is a Lausanne, Switzerland-based environmental sustainability research and consulting firm founded in 2012 by Julien Boucher. It operates a dual-entity structure: the for-profit EA Sàrl and the non-profit EA Association (EA for Impact), with 100% of for-profit profits reinvested into the non-profit arm to fund research, advocacy, and global initiatives such as Plastic Overshoot Day and Swiss Climate/Plastic Action. The company serves large corporations, SMEs, NGOs, governments, and financial institutions across Switzerland, Europe, and globally, with named engagements spanning energy (Romande Energie), luxury watchmaking, distribution system operators, financial services (a.s.r., Degroof Petercam), and consumer products.

The company's core technology is the Plasteax database — a global plastic data platform containing over 20,000 datapoints covering 72 countries, 9 polymer types, and 6 packaging categories, updated monthly and combining global-scale production, leakage, and waste-management metrics with locally standardized information. EA pioneered the foundational Plastic Footprint methodology and hosts the Plastic Footprint Network (PFN), a multi-stakeholder initiative unifying scientists, experts, and practitioners around standardized metrics. The service portfolio builds on this data backbone to deliver Carbon Footprint and Climate Strategy work (aligned with SBTi and Paris Agreement frameworks), comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment and Ecodesign, Circularity Roadmaps, Value Creation Plans, and tailored LCA/sustainability training programs.

EA's revenue model is hybrid: bespoke professional-services consulting engagements (project-based, scoped for measurable outcomes), recurring Plasteax subscriptions (with a free open-data tier), and tailored training programs delivered both in-person and in workshop format. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales augmented by thought-leadership content, partnerships with major consultancies (Quantis, South Pole) using Plasteax, and channel integrations such as the SAP partnership that embeds Plasteax into ERP sustainability workflows. Geographic reach is global, with a dedicated Swiss SME support offering and co-financing via VivaVaud up to CHF 50,000 for Swiss clients. The firm has 18 employees, is founder-controlled, and has not disclosed external venture or private equity funding.

Name

EA - Earth Action

Legal name

EA – Earth Action SA

Website

https://e-a.earth

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EA - Earth Action is a Lausanne-based sustainability consultancy that helps corporations, SMEs, NGOs, governments, and financial institutions measure and mitigate environmental impact through its Plasteax global plastic data platform, plastic footprinting methodology, LCA, carbon footprint, and climate strategy services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Sustainability Consulting Services: Professional consulting services providing environmental assessments, analytics, and actionable sustainability plans. Projects scope delivers measurable and tangible results to organizations.
2. Plasteax Subscription: Full Plasteax dataset available by subscription, with significant open-source data available freely. The platform is regularly accessed by private, public, and civil society organizations for reliable plastic pollution metrics.
3. Sustainability Training Programs: Tailored LCA and sustainability training for SMEs and larger organizations, from half-day awareness sessions to multi-workshop capability-building programs.
4. Research and Advocacy (Non-profit): EA for Impact is the 100% non-profit arm funded by profits from the for-profit EA Sàrl. Supports scientific advancements, global partnerships, and research-based solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EA - Earth Action is a sustainability consultancy that provides environmental research, consulting, and solutions to organizations. Its core offerings include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Plastic Footprint analysis, Carbon Footprint and Climate Strategy, Circularity Roadmaps, and Value Creation Plans. The company also operates Plasteax, a proprietary global plastic data platform with 20,000+ datapoints, and hosts the Plastic Footprint Network (PFN) multi-stakeholder initiative.

Product overview

EA (Earth Action) is a sustainability consultancy combining research, consulting, and impact initiatives. The company operates two entities: EA Sàrl (for-profit consultancy) reinvesting profits into the EA Association (non-profit arm). The core product portfolio centers on environmental assessment services including Plastic Footprint and Reduction Strategy, Carbon Footprint and Climate Strategy, Life Cycle Assessment and Ecodesign, Circularity Roadmap, and Value Creation Plans. The flagship data product is Plasteax, a global plastic database platform launched in 2021 with over 20,000 datapoints across 72 countries. Additional offerings include the Plastic Footprint Network (PFN) multi-stakeholder initiative and EA for Impact non-profit programs including Swiss Climate Action and Swiss Plastic Action. The company also provides LCA and sustainability training services for organizations building internal capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plasteax Comprehensive global plastic data platform providing metrics on plastic production, leakage, and waste management. Contains over 20,000 datapoints updated monthly, covering 72 countries, 9 polymer types, and 6 packaging categories. Offers open-source basic data with full dataset available by subscription for organizations including governments, corporations, and NGOs.
• Plastic Footprint and Plastic Reduction Strategy Foundational consulting framework for plastic footprint assessments enabling corporations to understand plastic leakage across their operations and determine the most impactful mitigation measures. Complements Life Cycle Assessment methodologies and supports Plastic Footprint Network methodology.
• Carbon Footprint and Climate Strategy Assessment of organizational carbon footprints with development of climate strategies aligned with SBTi and Paris Agreement frameworks. Includes stakeholder engagement and climate science education to enable organizations to identify decarbonisation levers, model impact, and prioritize concrete actions.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Ecodesign Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment services evaluating environmental impacts throughout product life cycles from raw material extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. Integrates ecodesign principles to identify opportunities for materials improvement, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and end-of-life considerations. Incorporates relevant industry and geographical factors for regulatory compliance.
• Circularity Roadmap Consulting service to develop roadmaps for circular economy transition, helping organizations balance mitigation of plastic waste and negative impacts with retaining product value and quality throughout the product lifecycle.
• Value Creation Plans Strategic planning service to create sustainable value, helping organizations align operational goals with planetary boundaries for pragmatic, data-driven sustainability solutions that deliver measurable results.
• LCA and Sustainability Training Tailored training programs for SMEs and larger organizations, ranging from half-day awareness sessions to multi-workshop capability-building programs for cross-functional teams. Designed to build internal capacity for lifecycle assessment, climate impact fundamentals, carbon emissions, and sustainability decision-making.

Quantifiable outcome

• Identified that oversized, underused equipment can generate up to 2,000× more impact per kilogram than optimally loaded equipment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SAPcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 October 2024SAP is partnering with Plasteax to integrate comprehensive plastic data into SAP's solutions, enabling consumer goods companies to align sustainability reporting with global standards. This enables 80% of consumer goods companies already using SAP to access standardized plastic footprint management.
• CDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDP works with Plasteax to provide a unified approach to data collection supporting governments and corporations in managing plastic data transparently and effectively. The collaboration aims to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on consistent data and definitions.
• a.s.r.coreStrategic or Co-development Partnera.s.r. is the first financial institution to pilot EA's methodology measuring plastic pollution in investment portfolios, developed in collaboration with the Plastic Soup Foundation. Methodology will be published as a PFN module after scientific committee review.
• Plastic Soup FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with EA and a.s.r. to develop methodology for measuring plastic pollution in investment portfolios, modeled on PCAF standard for financed emissions.
• Degroof Petercam Asset ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDegroof Petercam uses Plasteax data for country sustainability assessments, particularly in understanding impact of plastic waste management for investment decisions. Engages in dialogues with governments on addressing plastic pollution.
• World Economic Forum Global Plastic Action PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEF's Global Plastic Action Partnership uses Plasteax data for plastic policy and industry transformation initiatives.
• WWFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF utilizes Plasteax platform data for global plastic pollution assessments and policy work.
• QuantisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading sustainability consultancy Quantis uses Plasteax data for client sustainability consulting engagements.
• South PoleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading sustainability consultancy South Pole uses Plasteax data for client sustainability consulting engagements.
• Watchmaking Ecodesign ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA collaborates with luxury watchmaking brands and suppliers in the Watchmaking Ecodesign consortium to develop sector-specific environmental data and methodologies. A luxury watch can contain 500+ components with highly specialized materials.
• Plastic Footprint Network (PFN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFN is a multi-stakeholder initiative hosted by EA, unifying methodologies of leading scientists, experts, and global practitioners. Enables organizations to understand plastic impact through a single, unified methodology.
• Packaging Data HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA co-leads the Packaging Data Hub with Systemiq, addressing gaps in packaging data that impact compliance and investment decisions.
• Julien Boucher's Academic RolesminorOthersJulien Boucher serves on board of directors of REFFNET, ENEC, and ASL, and is professor of environmental sustainability at EPFL, UNIL, HES, UniGE, and SUMAS.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Anthesis Group: Anthesis Group is a sustainability advisory firm delivering strategy, LCA, and circular economy services. It directly competes with EA in plastic and packaging sustainability consulting for corporate clients.
• EcoAct: EcoAct is an international sustainability consultancy specializing in carbon strategy, climate reporting, and net-zero advisory, now part of ENGIE Impact. It competes with EA on carbon footprint and climate strategy engagements.
• Sphera: Sphera provides LCA software and environmental consulting, including its flagship GaBi platform for product life cycle assessment. It competes with EA on the LCA and ecodesign service line as well as underlying data products.
• Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is a global sustainability consultancy providing carbon footprinting, LCA, and plastics advisory to enterprises and governments. It competes for the same corporate sustainability strategy and Scope 3 mandates as EA.
• Quantis: Quantis is a leading sustainability and environmental consulting firm co-founded by EA founder Julien Boucher and sold to BCG in 2022. It competes directly in LCA, carbon footprint, and plastic footprint work and is itself a channel partner using Plasteax data.
• South Pole: South Pole is a major global climate and sustainability consultancy offering carbon, plastic, and LCA services to enterprises. It is a documented Plasteax channel partner and competes for the same corporate sustainability mandates as EA.

Broad incumbents

• KPMG (Sustainability Services): KPMG's global sustainability practice delivers climate strategy, LCA, and non-financial assurance to large enterprises. It is a broad incumbent that competes for sustainability consulting work alongside boutique firms like EA.
• Accenture Sustainability Services: Accenture offers enterprise-wide sustainability strategy, reporting, and transformation services at global scale. It represents a broad incumbent that can absorb scope of work EA currently delivers to large corporates.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management): ERM is one of the largest global environmental and sustainability consultancies with deep LCA, EHS, and climate advisory practices. It competes for large enterprise sustainability mandates while offering a broader service portfolio than EA.

Emerging players

• Watershed: Watershed is an enterprise carbon accounting and sustainability platform serving large corporates. It represents an emerging technology-enabled competitor to EA's Carbon Footprint & Climate Strategy service line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EAenvironmentalaction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ea-earth-action

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EA - Earth Action