EeBGuide

2.4.2. LCA study setup: Generic template

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by

Zsoka Gyetvai
in ,

After the selection of the study type and the subsequent filtering of aspects, the LCA study is set up according to the general LCA practice as resulting from applying ISO 14040/14044. This process is briefly explained with a generic template of how to set up an LCA study. The individual steps are numbered – note that this numbering does not relate to any study or other procedure that is defined elsewhere.

Step 1 – Goal and Scope definition

The definition of goal and scope mainly relates to the identification of study type and aspects considered for the LCA study as described in section 2.4.1. Based on the definition of reasons for carrying out the study as well as its intended application and audience, further specifications have to be made, e.g.:

  • Object of assessment (e.g. building or innovative technology) and its function (e.g. office use or energy producing façade collector)
  • Set up of a functional equivalent – special especially important for comparative assertions
  • System boundaries – specifications on life cycle phases to be included (e.g. for existing buildings) depending on the study type or hints for applying cut-off rules (e.g. with regard to infrastructure and transport) are specified
  • Procedure for allocation – several common allocation cases (e.g. for co-production or reuse and recycling) with regard to mass, energy or environmental significance are provided
  • Choice of environmental impact categories, indicators and characterization models used for the impact assessment
  • Data requirements and quality – the type of data to be used (e.g. generic or specific), data uncertainty, the use of foreground or background data (e.g. power-mix) and specific requirements on data quality for comparative assertions are defined; missing data have to be documented
  • Assumptions and limitations – may address e.g. the setup of specific scenarios for the use phase, the treatment of capital equipment or machinery within the production phase, or deviations from guidance provided within this document; a transparent documentation is required

Examples and guidance on the mentioned topics are provided within respective aspects of the chapters for “Goal and Scope definition”.

Step 2 – Inventory Analysis and Product Model

The way of data collection as well as the quantification of input and output flows (e.g. materials or energy) differs for screening, simplified and complete LCA studies and depends on the level of separating single elements for the object of assessment as well as the assessed life cycle stages . Data sources (e.g. public available or company/product specific ones) used and the quality of background data for the inventory analysis have an influence on the impact assessment. Guidance on data collection, calculation, validation and relating the information to e.g. life cycle stages or elements of the object of assessment is provided within the chapters for “Life cycle inventory analysis”. Furthermore, building and building product contributors are defined which have to be considered.

Step 3 – Impact Assessment

For the quantification of potential environmental impacts, the choice of environmentally relevant, technical and scientifically valid environmental indicators as well as the underlying characterization models for impact assessment, is of importance. Environmental indicators and impact categories where scientific consensus is not yet reached so far (e.g. water consumption, land use change or carbon sequestration) are addressed within the chapters for “Life Cycle Impact Assessment”.

Step 4 – Interpretation and Documentation

The interpretation of results serves e.g. for identifying hot spots (e.g. distinct life cycle phases or elements of the object of assessment contributing to environmental impacts) or understanding sensitivity and uncertainty of results through respective analysis. Requirements and guidance on the use of normalization, grouping or weighting are provided within the chapters for “Interpretation”. Cases, where a sensitivity analysis is useful, are defined as well.

Reporting templates are provided online at the official project website (http://www.eebguide.eu) and assist especially in conducting step 1. These templates form the basis for a documentation which is in-line with the present guidance document and which might be enhanced with further specific information, if required or recommended (e.g. if future technologies and innovations are regarded at).

Step 5 – Review

An external critical review is necessary for all comparative LCA studies or studies which are made public available. Guidance on simplifications for the review of stand-alone or screening LCA studies or studies within the E2B EI is provided under section “Reporting” within chapter “General aspects”.

2     How to use this Guidance document

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