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LCA methods and methodology Ireneusz Zbicinski Lodz, Technical University Molo, EMS Conference, 28th June-2 nd July 2006
LCA methods
and methodology
Ireneusz Zbicinski
Lodz, Technical University
Molo, EMS Conference, 28th June-2 nd July 2006
Introducing Life CycleAssessment in Companies
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11Conditions for LCA Analysis
Introducing Life Cycle Thinking
In this chapter it is described how to set up an LCA analysis.A general overview is given of the constraints in this process,and how to deal with problems one may encounter.
It is also explained how to develop an LCA course project to be used in educational workshops
Conceptual framework for decision-making
CHAPTER 11LCA should Support Sustainable Development
In practice this is approached very differently in differentsectors of society and in different subcultures.
We may distinguish between three different perspectives:
• Natural and physical sciences, including ecology andthermodynamics: the physical laws and relationships thatshape ecosystems. Perspectives in this area are describedas scientific.
• Micro-economics and technology: the economic relationships,structures and products that shape businesssystems. Perspectives in this area can be described asbusiness-oriented.
• Social issues and macro-economics: the social structuresand issues that shape society, reflecting peoples’ values.Perspectives in this area are described as societal.
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Trajectories of decision-making
Example of a decision space in the conceptual framework.
Supporting Decision-makingFigures describe the overall decision-making process.
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Four Requirements
Four generic requirements are necessary for environmentalmanagement:
• Human and environmental safety.• Regulatory compliance.• Efficient use of resources and waste management.• Addressing societal expectations and concerns.
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11.2 The Decision-making Process
Tools and Methods Used for Decision Making
Decisions are reached via an iterative process involving various components, as outlined below, and resulting in action.
Components of environmental decision-making
CHAPTER 11Distinguishing Between Tools and Methods
There are different ways in which LCA analyses are being developed and used in practice.
On the one hand, there are LCA analyses developed to assess potential environmental impacts without regard to site-specific conditions, and in some cases using generic weighting factors. This is analogous to using LCA as a tool or technique.
On the other hand, some practitioners argue that the more sitespecific and subjective, evaluative components of an LCA analysis are crucial to the results and this should be recognised in the approach selected.
This is analogous to using LCA as a system approach.
CHAPTER 11Product Development Process
It is presented to illustrate an example of how various tools and elements may be integrated in a business process, such as product development.
Product development incorporating various methods, tools and techniques
CHAPTER 11Involvement of Stakeholders
By stakeholder we generally mean those with a direct interestin the decision, that is those who are responsible for financingit, those who are directly affected by it and those who are responsible for its implementation.
A stakeholder is defined as: “Someone with a legitimate interest in the decision”.
Involvement of stakeholders at different stages in adecision-making process.
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Setting Up an LCA Course Project
LCA for Raising Awareness or for Decision-making
the objectives for a manageable LCA analysis are:
• A clear and comprehensive specification of the systemfunctionality.• A determination of the design, realisation, use and phaseoutof the intended system.• An indication all logistical processes, products and actors.
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11.3 Introducing LCA Projects in Industry
Starting an LCA Project
An LCA project in industry is most often initiated by someonewho commissions the project. This is often a middle-levelmanager without specific LCA expertise. The LCA analyst,with some expertise, will scope the project, and in fact say if itis at all possible to conduct, or quite often rephrase it to makeit possible.
Outcomes are:
• Redesign of products.• Change of materials in products.• Find a different provider of materials.• Change packaging of products.• Change production processes.• Change logistics.
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Institutionalising LCA
LCA in most companies is not well established. Such a process will not start unless some individuals see the regular need for LCA and start the process.
There are several different incentives to establish an LCAgroup or activity. Outside pressure is one. If other companiesin the same field are doing LCA, others will often follow.LCA Today and in the Future
In the early 21st century LCA is fairly well established. Onereport from 2000 (Frankl and Rubik) mentions that between5% and 40% of industry uses LCA, depending on branch andcountry.
The process is supported within the European Union’s IPP (Integrated Product Policy) Directive.
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The project aims to promote and support more reliableLCA studies by providing:
• Reference data and recommended methods for LCA, includingcore Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data of Europeanbusiness associations, including data on energy, transportand waste management.
• Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) factors for estimatingthe potential impacts on resource consumption, theenvironment and human health.
• Handbook of Technical Guidance Documents for LCA, toprovide consensus on best practice.
LCA Analysis of Systems
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CHAPTER 12 12.1 How to Use LCA for Systems
LCA for Products or Systems
Here LCA is used as a tool. As a tool, LCA analysis is easier since all factors of a potential environmental effect can be evaluated in a “Do-It-Yourself LCA Manual”.
Practitioners may incorporate a defined set of impacts so that trade-offs between alternatives in the final decision are more transparent.
In some situations a more site-specific and subjective evaluation of LCA is crucial to the results.This is the case when LCA is used to evaluate more complexsituations than the production, use and scrapping of singleproducts. It is especially interesting to use life cycle assessments for evaluating systems. By systems we will understand processes where many different “products” are used together to make possible a more complex operation.
CHAPTER 12LCA Analysis Method on Systems
The LCA analysis method of systems introduced here is basedon the so-called integrated Logistics Process Cycle (LPC).This is composed of eight different parts, as illustrated in Figure
The Logistics Process Cycle around the offshore crane ship “Balder”
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Logistics Process Cycle of the system contains the following four material components:
• Resources.• Actors.• Activities.• Products and services
In addition to these the cycle has four logistical components:
• A budget to finance the resources.• An operational need to justify the budget.• Installation performance.• System functionality.
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The functional material part breakdown.
Life Cycle Management, LCM
An overall management of the entire logistics cycle is necessaryto maximize performance. When this is done in a life cycle perspective it is called Life Cycle Management (LCM).It is provided by a LCM team.
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Life Cycle Management, LCM
The Logistics Process Cycle (LPC) in Figure is seen as an “up and running” logistics process broken down into eight entities. When the asset life cycle is reviewed, from conception to phase-out, the LPC should be read in two directions.For design, adjustment and evaluation it turns anti-clockwise.For production, operations and phase-out, it turns clockwise.
The Logistics Process Cycle related to the Asset ManagementControl Elements.
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12.2 Logistic Process (Life) Cycles Analysis
A Four-step Procedure for Analysis of Systems
A general LPC analysis has been done to provide a basic analyticframework for any (technical) system. The aim has been to unearth the necessary logistic means for each LPC element, beginning with the operational need.
To determine the overall environmental impact of the logisticalproducts and services analysed throughout the life cycleof the system, the Eco-Indicator 95/99 approach is used.
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To specify the necessary logistical (management) information, knowledge and skills, an analysis should be made for all life cycle phases. The four phases to be discussed are:
• Planning the system – Specify System Functionality.• Setting up the system – Acquire System Functionality.• Running the system – Achieve Cost Effectiveness.• Scrapping the system – Justify Phase-Out.
Planning the System
The planning of the systems is called the Specify System Functionality phase. It is the first objective in the LPC analysis of any system. For each LPC phase, LCA analysis is composed of the eight distinct components.
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For a capital asset it is assumed that the ILS Use Study isthe most relevant.
The aim of the Use Study is to identify and document the pertinent supportability factors related to the intended use of the new system, such as:
• Mobility requirements• Deployment scenarios• Mission frequency and duration• Basing concepts• Service life• Interactions with other systems• Human capabilities/limitations.
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CHAPTER 12 Operational needIn this phase is to decide how good the performance shouldbe, that is, the advisable or required “degree of perfection”.
System functionality is essential to ensure that the operational requirements can be fulfilled. According to the ILS/LSA method system functionality can be described by defining the system requirements and characteristics.
Installation performancedefined in relation to the LCM objective “specify the system functionality”, corresponds to the Logistical products documentation and services to support system activities.
The Logistic actors (production units, departments, contractors,etc.) can be found by looking not only at the organisationbut at the entire industry.
CHAPTER 12 In the Resources element a search is carried out to determinepossible resources, based on the logistic actor and productand services specifications.
In the Budget and Environmental Impact element the costand environmental impact estimate is based on the insightgained so far. The accuracy of this will greatly depend on theavailable expertise and data.
Setting Up the System
Once the system functionality has been specified we move intothe setting-up or acquisition phase, called the Acquire SystemFunctionality phase.
• Operational need• System functionality• Installation performance• Logistical activities• Logistical activities• Resources• Budget and Environmental
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Examples of LPC Short List: Specify System Functionality.
Examples of LPC Short List: Acquire System Functionality.
CHAPTER 12 Running the System
The phase when the system is operating is called Achieve CostEffectiveness, since it is expected that the system operationsand maintenance (utilisation) will be performed with optimalcost-effectiveness.
• Operational need• Operational requirements• Installation performance.• Logistical activities• Resources• Budget and Environmental Impact element
Scrapping the System
The end phase of the system operation is to scrap the system, called system decommissioning, or phase-out.
• operational need• system functionality• logistical activities• Budget and Environmental Impact element
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Examples of LPC Short List: Achieve Cost Effectiveness.
