Damon Waterworth shares Yordas Group ’ s view on the role of lifecycle assessment software
Navigating the LCA software landscape
Damon Waterworth shares Yordas Group ’ s view on the role of lifecycle assessment software
Life cycle assessment ( LCA ) is an internationally recognised tool used to quantify the potential environmental impact of products ( goods and services ) throughout their lifecycle . It is an essential tool for organisations that want to understand and reduce their environmental footprint .
In recent years , LCA has gained significant popularity , leading to the emergence of new automated , web-based LCA tools , alongside established , advanced software systems like GaBi or SimaPro . As a result , businesses need to decide whether to use automated screening tools or invest in more advanced software solutions .
Automated web-based tools
Automated ( web-based ) LCA screening tools , such as LCA Calculator and One Click LCA ( for construction products only ), have made performing environmental assessments accessible to everyone . Their intuitive interfaces and preselected databases reduce the barriers to entry for organisations seeking to conduct LCAs .
Rapid results are their forte : automatic calculations and simplified features provide the basis for speedy assessments that allow users to screen large numbers of products and processes against environmental criteria . Organisations can leverage these efficiency gains to conduct assessments more frequently and incorporate results more readily into environmental reports .
✔ Pros
● Ease of use
● Efficient reporting
● Consistent data entry
● Data sharing capabilities
✔ Pros
Figure 1 – Pros & cons of automated web-based tools
● User flexibility
● Tailored assessments
● Advanced modelling
● Choice of multiple impact assessment methods
Another advantage of screening tools is their consistency . Predefined algorithms and standardised data structures help to maintain data integrity by avoiding manual data entry and minimising human error . In addition , the results can be shared with others in the supply chain , facilitating environmental data exchange and transparency .
While automated tools have several advantages , it is important to acknowledge their limitations . One of the main drawbacks is that the pre-loaded datasets and simplified processing methods mean there is limited scope for customisation . While this may not be a problem for some types of analysis , it can be an issue for complex supply chains or
Cons
● Overly simplified analysis
● Limited value for novel or complex products
● Data may be sector-specific ( e . g ., construction only )
● Risk of ISO non-compliant reporting
● Potential for biased results
Cons
● Less user friendly than automated screening tools
● Steep learning curve
● Risk of ISO non-compliant reporting
● Potential for biased results
● High subscription costs in some cases
Figure 2 – Pros & cons of advanced LCA tools * OpenLCA is an open source , free to download , LCA software . However , you must pay for databases
‘ novel ’ products , and often leads to unhelpful results .
Users should also be aware that the use of software does not guarantee that LCA reports are ‘ ISO-compliant ’. Compliance with ISO standards is determined by the specific context of the study , including the choice of assumptions , data sources , and assessment methods . These are aspects that non-experts struggle to fully understand and justify .
Lastly , it is worth noting that with any self-assessment , comes the heightened risk of bias . Consumers are often more suspicious of LCA results that are produced by companies for their own products , regardless of the tools used .
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