Manufacturing companies have an essential role in the development towards sustainability. Companies are encouraged to take on a wider perspective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, in order to reduce its impact on the acceleration of climate change. This paper presents a framework for environmental sustainability research through life cycle of the products. A literature review is performed to identify challenges and perspectives to be included in the development of the framework. Based on the empirical data collection performed with 71 respondents, research themes have been identified. These are: Resource efficiency, Enabling sustainable innovation, Circular business models and Emerging sustainable technologies.