According to the Environmental Encyclopedic Dictionary, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product refers to the evaluation and analysis of the environmental consequences of the product’s actions. The analysis tracks the product from the extraction and processing of raw materials, through all its production phases, transport and distribution, use – profitability, maintenance, and recycling, and extends to its final disposal or reintegration into the environment.

Thus, in this webinar, we will explore the importance of LCA in today’s corporate landscape, with a focus mainly on the legislative aspect. It is crucial for every company to incorporate LCA practices in order to make sustainable decisions and comply with environmental regulations.

Starting with an introduction to LCA, we will break down the key concepts and methodologies behind this powerful tool, so that we can understand the fundamental principles of assessing the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to the end of its life span.

As the state of the planet deteriorates at an alarming rate, it is more important than ever to understand how LCA is useful and how this tool is used to increase transparency, accountability, and responsibility among companies.

By attending this webinar, you will learn about:

  • Definition and Purpose of LCA: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool for assessing the environmental impacts of products, processes, or services throughout their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal;

  • LCA Phases: The LCA process includes four main phases: Goal and Scope Definition, Inventory Analysis, Impact Assessment, and Interpretation;

  • Importance of Scope Definition: Setting clear boundaries and goals is essential to ensure accurate results and relevant impact assessments;

  • Environmental Impact Categories: LCA assesses various environmental impacts, including carbon footprint, water usage, energy consumption, air pollution, and toxicity levels;

  • Data Collection and Inventory: A critical phase in LCA is data collection, where all inputs and outputs associated with the product lifecycle are quantified;

  • Impact Assessment: This phase evaluates the potential environmental effects based on the data collected, analyzing contributions to categories like global warming, resource depletion, and human health risks;

  • Interpretation and Decision-Making: LCA results support decision-making by identifying hotspots (areas with high environmental impact) and offering insights for improvement;

  • Benefits of LCA: LCA provides transparency, supports sustainable product development, identifies opportunities for environmental improvement, and helps businesses align with sustainability goals;

  • Applications of LCA: LCA is widely applied across industries for eco-labeling, sustainable product design, supply chain optimization, and regulatory compliance;

  • Challenges of LCA: While beneficial, LCA can be data-intensive and complex, requiring standardized methods and reliable data to avoid misleading results;

About the guest speaker

Tanja Holm is a professional with a background in marketing, co-founder of the Environmental Impacts Academy, and passionate about increasing LCA capacity in companies by identifying young talents and training experienced professionals in sustainability and life cycle assessment for environmental decision-makers.

Tanja is passionate about marketing and communicating how companies integrate LCA into their operations.

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