Life-cycle assessment

PhasesOfLifeCycleAnalysis

Example Life Cycle Assessment Stages diagram

Life cycle analysis and GHG carbon accounting

LCI Diagram

Life-cycle assessment (LCA), also known as life-cycle analysis, is a method used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling. Designers use this process to help critique their products. The goal of LCA is to compare the full range of environmental damages assignable to products and services, to be able to choose the least burdensome one. It is a tool to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service, by:

• Identifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment;
• Assessing the environmental impact of those energy and material uses and releases to the air, water, and land;
• Interpreting the results to help make a more informed decision.

Overview

The concept of LCA was first introduced in the early 1960s and has developed significantly since then. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has standardized this framework within the series ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, which provides guidelines on the principles and framework for conducting and reporting an LCA.

LCA is performed in four phases:

1. Goal and Scope Definition - The product or process to be assessed is defined, a functional unit is chosen, and the scope of the study is outlined.
2. Inventory Analysis - Data collection and calculation procedures to quantify relevant inputs and outputs of a system.
3. Impact Assessment - Evaluation of the potential environmental impacts using the inventory data.
4. Interpretation - Recommendations are made based on the results of the previous phases to reduce the environmental impacts.

Applications

LCA can be applied in various fields such as product design, policy making, and business strategy to:

• Improve process efficiency;
• Support strategic decision making;
• Guide research and development;
• Provide a comprehensive view of environmental impacts;
• Inform consumers and stakeholders about environmental decision-making.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its comprehensive approach, LCA faces several challenges and limitations, including:

• Data availability and quality: Gathering comprehensive and high-quality data can be difficult and time-consuming.
• Scope definition: The complexity of defining the scope and functional unit can influence the outcome and comparability of LCA studies.
• Subjectivity in impact assessment: The selection of impact categories, indicators, and characterization models can introduce subjectivity.
• Time and resource intensity: Conducting a thorough LCA can be resource and time-intensive.

Future Directions

The future of LCA includes the integration of new methodologies for better handling of uncertainties, the development of more comprehensive databases, and the incorporation of social and economic factors into the assessment. The aim is to create more holistic sustainability assessments.