Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life cycle, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal or recycling. The main goal of LCA is to provide a comprehensive assessment that helps to understand and minimise the overall environmental footprint of a product or service.
Key steps in an LCA include:
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Goal and Scope Definition: Clearly defining the purpose, system boundaries, and scope of the LCA, including the functional unit that will be assessed.
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Life Cycle Inventory (LCI): Collecting and quantifying data on energy, water, and material inputs and environmental releases (emissions to air, water, and soil) across the entire life cycle of the product or service.
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Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA): Evaluating the potential environmental impacts based on the inventory data collected. This may include impacts such as global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, resource depletion, and human toxicity.
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Interpretation: Analysing the results, drawing conclusions, and providing recommendations to improve the product’s environmental performance. This step may include identifying significant issues, evaluating the reliability of the results, and considering improvement opportunities.
LCA helps organisations and policymakers understand the full environmental impact of products or services and make informed decisions to improve sustainability.