What is Life Cycle Assessment?
An introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), its purpose, and why it matters for sustainability decision-making.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. From raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, LCA provides a comprehensive view of environmental performance.
Why LCA Matters
Organizations face growing pressure to understand and reduce their environmental footprints. LCA provides reliable methods to:
- Measure their environmental footprint accurately
- Compare alternatives objectively
- Identify improvement opportunities
- Communicate environmental performance credibly
Did You Know?
LCA originated in the 1960s with studies on packaging and beverages. Today, it's a standardized methodology used globally across all industries.
The Life Cycle Perspective
Traditional environmental analysis often focuses on a single stage—usually manufacturing or use. LCA takes a broader view:
- Raw Material Extraction - Mining, agriculture, forestry
- Processing & Manufacturing - Transforming raw materials into products
- Transportation & Distribution - Moving products through supply chains
- Use Phase - Consumer or industrial use of products
- End of Life - Disposal, recycling, or recovery
This "cradle-to-grave" (or "cradle-to-cradle" for circular systems) approach prevents burden shifting—solving one environmental problem by creating another elsewhere in the life cycle.
Real-World Example
Consider a simple comparison: paper bags vs. plastic bags.
At first glance, paper seems more environmentally friendly. But LCA reveals a more nuanced picture:
| Impact Category | Paper Bag | Plastic Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials | Trees, water, chemicals | Petroleum |
| Manufacturing energy | Higher | Lower |
| Transportation weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| End of life | Biodegradable (if composted) | Recyclable (if collected) |
Avoiding Oversimplification
LCA shows us that "environmentally friendly" depends on many factors including location, waste infrastructure, and how products are actually used.
Key Benefits of LCA
For Businesses
- Support product development decisions
- Meet customer and regulatory requirements
- Identify cost-saving opportunities through efficiency
- Substantiate environmental marketing claims
For Policymakers
- Develop evidence-based regulations
- Compare policy alternatives
- Set standards and benchmarks
- Guide public procurement
For Consumers
- Make informed purchasing decisions
- Understand environmental labels
- Evaluate product claims critically
International Standards
LCA is governed by international standards that ensure consistency and credibility:
- ISO 14040 - Principles and framework
- ISO 14044 - Requirements and guidelines
- ISO 14067 - Carbon footprint of products
- ISO 14046 - Water footprint
These standards don't prescribe specific methods but establish principles that LCA practitioners must follow.
What You'll Learn in This Track
This foundations track will teach you:
- The four phases of LCA methodology
- How to define goals and scope
- Life cycle inventory analysis basics
- Impact assessment fundamentals
- Interpretation and reporting
By the end, you'll understand how LCA works and be ready to dive deeper into specific methodological topics.
Summary
Life Cycle Assessment is a powerful tool for understanding environmental impacts across the full life cycle of products and services. It helps avoid burden shifting, supports better decisions, and provides a scientific basis for sustainability claims.
In the next lesson, we'll explore the four phases of LCA in detail.