Abstract
In order to offer the reader an overview of the LCA methodology in the preparation of the more detailed description of its different phases, a brief introduction is given to the methodological framework according to the ISO 14040 standard and the main elements of each of its phases. Emphasis is on the iterative nature of the LCA process with its many feedback loops between the different phases. It is explained how the integrated use of sensitivity analysis helps identify key assumptions and key data and thus ensure effectiveness by directing the focus of the LCA practitioner to those parts of the study where additional work contributes most to strengthen the results and conclusions of the study.
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References
This chapter is to a large extent based on the ILCD handbook and the ISO standards 14040 and 14044. Due to the scope of this chapter, some details have been omitted, and some procedures have been rephrased to make the text more relevant to students. For more details, the reader may refer to these texts:
EC-JRC (2010) European Commission—Joint Research Centre—Institute for Environment and Sustainability: International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook—General guide for Life Cycle Assessment—Detailed guidance. First edition March 2010. EUR 24708 EN. Luxembourg. Publications Office of the European Union.
ISO: Environmental management—life cycle assessment—principles and framework (ISO 14040). ISO, The International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2006a)
ISO: Environmental management—life cycle assessment—requirements and guidelines (ISO 14044). ISO, The International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2006b)
Additional References Quoted in the Text
Guinée, J.B., Gorrée, M., Heijungs, R., Huppes, G., Kleijn, R., van Oers, L., Wegener Sleeswijk, A., Suh, S., Udo de Haes, H.A., de Bruijn, H., van Duin, R., Huijbregts, M.A.J.: Handbook on Life Cycle Assessment: Operational Guide to the ISO Standards. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht (2002). ISBN 1-4020-0228-9
Wenzel, H., Hauschild, M.Z., Alting, L.: Environmental Assessment of Products, vol. 1—Methodology, Tools and Case Studies in Product Development, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Hingham, MA. USA (1997). ISBN 0 412 80800 5
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Hauschild, M.Z. (2018). Introduction to LCA Methodology. In: Hauschild, M., Rosenbaum, R., Olsen, S. (eds) Life Cycle Assessment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_6
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