Sustainable Production-Lecture 3- Life Cycle Assessments

how do we evaluate the full environmental impacts of a product?

• using LCA

• measures how product affects environment- looks at inputs, outputs

• looks at raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, waste etc

what standards do the LCA follow

ISO14000

applications of LCA

• product development

• product improvement

• strategic planning

• public policy making

• marketting and communication

why are LCA’s useful?

• can be used to improve sustainability of production systems

• can be used to develop national strategies

• can compare one food product against another

• can be used to promote on food labels

step 1 of LCA

Goal and scope definition

• defining the goals and scope allows for errors to be minimised

step 2 of LCA

inventory analysis

• look at the inputs- what’s put in- energy and raw materials

• and outputs- what is emitted- waste, pollutants

step 3 of LCA

• inputs and outputs use software such as OpenLCA to specific categories

• environmental impact, resource impacts, pollutant impacts, nutrients related impacts

what are some examples of outputs?

• water footprint

• GHG

• eutrophication

• fossil resource depletion

step 3 of LCA after inventory has been categorised- what is used here as the standard?

• interpretation phase

• make sure conclusions are well sustained

• use ISO14044 standard

what is the ISO14044

this is the standard tests that are done to ensure conclusions are supported by data

where do the inventory values come from?

• they are measured

• calculated

• or estimated

chickpea pasta- example of LCA

• 41% less water

• 45% less emissions

• 37% less energy