Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Published on 7 December 2023
Publication
Angélique Léonard, from the University of Liège, presents the basics of life cycle assessment (LCA), a multi-criteria, quantitative approach used to diagnose, design and communicate the environmental impacts of products or services.
Avoid categories
- Raw materials
LCA assesses the environmental impact of a product or service from raw material extraction to end-of-life, including production and use. It is a multi-criteria, quantitative method, offering a precise environmental diagnosis to avoid greenwashing, identify "hot spots" for improvement, and guide the eco-design of new products or services. An LCA can be simplified for an initial analysis, then detailed for an in-depth exploration.