Goal, functional unit and system boundary
Define why the study is being undertaken, what performance is compared and which life-cycle stages and processes are included.
Life Cycle Assessment
Understand the footprint beyond a single stage.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates environmental impacts associated with a defined product, process or building system across selected life-cycle stages.
Consultancy focus
What the engagement can cover.
Goal and scope definition
Clarify intended use, functional unit, system boundary and assumptions.
Life-cycle inventory
Gather and organize material, energy, transport and process inputs and outputs.
Impact assessment
Assess selected environmental indicators using a suitable methodology and data sources.
Interpretation and improvement
Identify important contributors, limitations and areas for improvement.
Studies should define methodology and boundaries clearly and follow applicable ISO 14040/14044 principles. Public comparative assertions may require additional review and verification.
Discuss a requirement
Start with your project scope and current evidence.
We can discuss the objectives, information available and the most useful next step.
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BEFORE AN LCA STUDY
Define the study before collecting data
Clear decisions about purpose and boundaries make life-cycle results more credible and useful.
- Product or system description and intended application
- Study goal, functional unit and intended audience
- Proposed system boundary and life-cycle stages
- Bill of materials, energy, transport and process data
SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES
Methodology and reporting essentials
Illustrative consultancy outputs. The final engagement scope and responsibilities are agreed for each project.
Life-cycle inventory and quality review
Compile material and energy flows, transport and end-of-life assumptions, data sources, cut-offs and limitations.
Impact assessment and interpretation
Use suitable methods, test sensitivity where relevant, and report limitations; comparative public claims can entail additional ISO requirements.
PRACTICAL ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions.
Useful introductory information, not a substitute for checking current scheme requirements.
Is an LCA the same as a carbon footprint?
Not always. LCA may evaluate multiple environmental impact categories; a carbon footprint focuses on climate-change-related impacts.
Can LCA results be compared between competing products?
Comparisons require consistent functional units, boundaries, quality and methods. Public comparative claims can trigger additional review requirements.
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