Life Cycle Assessment
This article focuses on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process or activity over its entire life cycle. The goal of LCA is to identify and quantify the potential environmental impacts of a product or service, from the extraction of raw materials, through the manufacturing and use phases, to final disposal. The LCA process provides a comprehensive and scientifically robust analysis of the environmental impact of a product, taking into account its entire life cycle.
In the context of project, program, and portfolio management, LCA can be used to evaluate the sustainability of projects and to identify opportunities for improvement. For example, a project manager may use LCA to assess the environmental impact of different project options and to prioritize projects that have the lowest environmental impact. Additionally, a portfolio manager may use LCA to assess the environmental impact of different investment options and to prioritize investments in companies that are actively engaging in sustainability.
LCA can also provide valuable information for stakeholders, including investors, customers, and policymakers, who are interested in understanding the environmental impact of the products and services they use and invest in, and help them make more informed decisions.
In conclusion, LCA can be a valuable tool for project, program, and portfolio management, as it provides a comprehensive and scientifically robust analysis of the environmental impact of projects and enables managers to identify opportunities for improvement and make informed decisions. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to investors and customers, LCA will play an increasingly important role in project, program, and portfolio management, helping companies and investors to achieve their sustainability goals and drive positive change in the world.
Contents |
History of LCA
The idea of LCA was conceived in the 1960s, when environmental degradation and limitations of raw materials and energy resources sparked interest in finding ways to cumulatively account for energy use and to project future resource supplies and use. [1] [2]
Steps to perform an LCA
In the following paragraphs are listed the steps that have to be carried out in order to perform a well structured LCA study. These are, as well, the most important parts that must be included in an LCA report that can be considered detailed and professional.
Goal and Scope definition
Inventory analysis
Impact assessment
Interpretation
LCA tools and databases
Strenghts and limitations
Rather than saying that LCA calculates actual environmental impacts, it is more accurate to say that it calculates impact potentials.[3]
References
- ↑ Life Cycle Assessment:Theory and Practice, chapter 3 (Michael Z. Hauschild, Ralph K. Rosenbaum, Stig Irving Olsen) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3
- ↑ M.L. Brusseau, Chapter 32 - Sustainable Development and Other Solutions to Pollution and Global Change,Editor(s): Mark L. Brusseau, Ian L. Pepper, Charles P. Gerba, Environmental and Pollution Science (Third Edition),Academic Press,2019,Pages 585-603,ISBN 9780128147191,https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814719-1.00032-X. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012814719100032X)
- ↑ Life Cycle Assessment:Theory and Practice, chapter 2.3 (Michael Z. Hauschild, Ralph K. Rosenbaum, Stig Irving Olsen) https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3
- Project Management: A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK guide), 7th Edition (2021) https://findit.dtu.dk/en/catalog/2702860479
- Project Management: ISO 21502 (2021 Edition) https://findit.dtu.dk/en/catalog/2690497944
- Program Management: ISO 21503 (2017 Edition) https://findit.dtu.dk/en/catalog/2441783644
- Portfolio Management: ISO 21504 (2015 Edition) https://findit.dtu.dk/en/catalog/2441783648
