(99b) Life Cycle Assessments: Corporate Value or Potential Risk Lies in the Details

Life cycle assessments are an important tool for companies to be able to measure, document, and communicate the potential benefits of processes and products. However, life cycle assessments are complicated tools that rely on a variety of assumptions, databases, and inputs that may impact the applicability and reliability of the results. While firms that offer these services will often perform them in accordance with recognized standards such as ISO 14044, companies may not always be aware of the limitations, uncertainties, or assumptions underlying an LCA even when performed to an ISO standard.

This talk will provide background to how data from LCAs are obtained, how certain performance metrics are defined, and common issues the authors have observed when reviewing LCAs.