Life cycle assessment
Definition
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life, spanning from raw material extraction and production to use and end-of-life disposal.
Key Characteristics
- Systematic Approach: Evaluates impacts across the entire value chain.
- Hybrid Methodology: Often combines consequential principles (for scoping) with process-sum calculations (for quantitative assessment).
- Comprehensive Scope: Accounts for all stages, including extraction, manufacturing, operation, and disposal.
- Framework Basis: Serves as the foundational structure for calculating environmental footprints and enabling effects in the ICT sector.
Applications
- Measuring the environmental footprint of digital products and services.
- Evaluating the enabling effects of ICT solutions on carbon emissions.
- Informing sustainable design and development strategies within the technology sector.
- Compliance with standardized environmental reporting frameworks.
Mentions in Source
- “This Recommendation applies a hybrid approach including elements of both consequential and process-sum life cycle assessment (LCA) - the scoping considers consequential principles, whereas the quantitative assessment is based on process-sum LCA.” — ITU-T L.1480 (Greening by Digital)