What is a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle.

In more detail, a Life Cycle Assessment is a comprehensive approach to assessing the environmental impact of a product or service from its creation to its disposal. This includes all stages of a product's life, from the extraction of raw materials, through production, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, to its disposal or recycling. This is often referred to as 'from cradle to grave'.

The LCA process is divided into four main stages. The first stage is the definition of the goal and scope. This involves identifying the product or service to be assessed, the purpose of the assessment, and the boundaries of the system to be evaluated. The second stage is the inventory analysis, which involves collecting data on all the inputs and outputs of the system, such as energy, materials, and emissions.

The third stage is the impact assessment, where the potential environmental impacts of the system are identified and evaluated. This could include impacts on climate change, human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. The final stage is the interpretation of results, where the findings are analysed and conclusions are drawn.

The aim of an LCA is to provide a complete picture of the environmental impacts of a product or service, and to identify opportunities to reduce these impacts. It is a valuable tool for decision-making and can be used by businesses, policymakers, and consumers to make more sustainable choices.