How to perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A practical guide

Ecomatters' approach to performing LCAs

Are you looking to perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product or service? If so, there are a several key steps that should be followed. The time spent on each of these steps depends on the required detail and accuracy of the LCA results, as well as the type of LCA you are looking to do.

At Ecomatters, we have a proven track record of supporting companies across a variety of sectors with the completion of LCA studies. We can advise and guide you through the process of conducting an LCA yourself, or take all steps and activities off your hands. In this article we walk you through how to complete an LCA. In practice our approach can be described as follows:

1. Scoping

We start with direct conversations to understand the your needs and reasons for performing an LCA. Based on this, we define and agree on the goal and scope of the study.

Scoping discussions cover the intended audience of the LCA and how the results will be used. In this first stage, we also agree which products fall within the scope, the required level of detail, the life cycle stages to be included and the impact categories to be assessed.

2. Data collection

Once the goal and scope of the LCA study are defined and the product value chain has been outlined, the next step is to collect the data needed to build the life cycle model. In this phase, all relevant inputs and outputs (such as materials, energy use and emissions) are gathered for each life cycle stage included in the product system. This is known as the life cycle inventory (LCI).

With the support of Ecomatters, you will collects the data required. To make the process as clear and efficient as possible, we prepare a data questionnaire that lists all required data items. Depending on the goal and scope of the project, data collection typically covers product manufacturing (raw materials, product characteristics, utilities, waste), logistics (transport modes and distances), and product use and end-of-life treatment.

3. Product life cycle modelling

Once we have defined the scope and boundaries and collected the necessary data, Ecomatters models the product value chain(s). When the data questionnaire has been completed, we process the information, build the life cycle model and carry out the assessment.

We use reputable third-party databases (such as Ecoinvent or Sphera) to model parts of the system that fall outside the commissioner’s direct control, for example the production of raw materials, energy supply and end-of-life treatment.

4. Calculation of results and interpretation

The model is constructed in the chosen LCA software (GaBi, SimaPro) which translates the inputs and outputs to actual environmental impacts (i.e. climate change, eutrophication potential, etc). The results of the study include the product footprint for all selected impact categories, but also disaggregated results per life cycle stage, manufacturing process, and activity.

During this step the results are also interpreted. Doing this leads to the identification of environmental hotspots in the value chain and allows for conclusions to be drawn and recommendarions to be made in accordance with the goal and scope of the project.

5. Results sharing

Summary

The making of an LCA is an iterative process since, as the study progresses, some changes are likely to occur. These changes may be related to the goal and scope of the study, but also to the availability of data or technical aspects.

At Ecomatters we can assist you in determining the type of LCA study best suited to your goals, guide you through the process of performing an LCA or conduct an LCA for you. Find out more about how we work with the Life Cycle Thinking approach, or contact us directly for further information.