Introduction

Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) is a critical tool for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and services from cradle to grave. This training course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct comprehensive LCAs, integrate the findings into decision-making processes, and align with global sustainability standards. By focusing on modern methodologies and future-oriented practices, this course equips professionals to address complex challenges in product sustainability and eco-design.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the principles and frameworks of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA).
2. Learn how to identify, quantify, and evaluate environmental impacts across a product’s or service’s lifecycle.
3. Gain hands-on experience with leading LCA software and tools.
4. Develop strategies to incorporate LCA results into product design, manufacturing, and business operations.
5. Navigate global standards and frameworks for LCA, such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
6. Explore advanced LCA applications, including carbon footprinting, circular economy analysis, and eco-labeling.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Product designers and engineers
• Sustainability and environmental managers
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals
• R&D and innovation teams
• Supply chain and procurement managers
• Policy-makers and regulators
• Professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in product sustainability and lifecycle analysis

Advanced 5-Day Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)

• Session 1: Overview of LCA

  • Definition, importance, and key benefits of LCA
  • The role of LCA in sustainability and circular economy strategies

• Session 2: LCA Frameworks and Standards

  • Understanding ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
  • Key phases of LCA: Goal definition, inventory, impact assessment, and interpretation

• Session 3: Practical Exercise – Defining LCA Goals and Scope

  • Case study: Selecting a product or service for LCA
  • Setting boundaries and identifying functional units

Day 2: Lifecycle Inventory (LCI) Analysis

• Session 1: Data Collection and Management

  • Identifying data sources and key inputs/outputs
  • Tools and databases for LCI (e.g., Ecoinvent, GaBi, SimaPro)

• Session 2: Quantifying Resource Use and Emissions

  • Energy, water, and material flows in the LCI phase
  • Practical session: Building an LCI model for a sample product

• Session 3: Addressing Data Gaps and Uncertainty

  • Strategies for handling incomplete or uncertain data
  • Sensitivity and scenario analysis

Day 3: Lifecycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

• Session 1: Understanding Environmental Impact Categories

  • Global warming potential, water scarcity, eutrophication, toxicity, and more
  • Selection of relevant impact categories for specific industries

• Session 2: Tools for Impact Assessment

  • Overview of popular LCA software: GaBi, SimaPro, OpenLCA
  • Practical session: Conducting LCIA using software tools

• Session 3: Interpreting and Communicating LCA Results

  • Identifying hotspots and trade-offs
  • Visualizing results for effective communication

Day 4: Integrating LCA into Business Processes

• Session 1: LCA in Eco-Design and Product Development

  • Principles of eco-design and sustainable innovation
  • Using LCA to identify opportunities for product improvement

• Session 2: LCA in Supply Chain Management

  • Evaluating supplier impacts and integrating LCA into procurement decisions
  • Practical session: Supply chain analysis using LCA principles

• Session 3: Regulatory and Market Applications of LCA

  • Eco-labeling, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and carbon footprint reporting
  • Aligning with global reporting frameworks (GRI, CDP, and others)

Day 5: Advanced Applications and Future Trends

• Session 1: Circular Economy and Lifecycle Thinking

  • Using LCA to support circular economy strategies
  • Practical session: Circularity assessment for a product lifecycle

• Session 2: Innovations in LCA

  • AI, blockchain, and big data in lifecycle analysis
  • Emerging trends: Social LCA and dynamic LCA

• Session 3: Capstone Project and Strategy Presentation

  • Group activity: Conducting a mini-LCA for a product or service
  • Peer review and expert feedback

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Certification of completion
• Access to advanced LCA tools, templates, and resources
• Networking opportunities with industry experts and sustainability professionals