Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Basic Concepts & Food Sustainability

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
“Basic concept and its role in food sustainability”
Al Richa Nasir, S.KM., MSc., C.EML
Environmental Engineering Study Program
Civil Engineering - Engineering Faculty
Tadulako University
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Definition of LCA
Raw materials
Extraction
ISO 14040-14044
Production
Also known as Life Cycle Analysis, is a
systematic method used to evaluate the
environmental impacts of a product or
process from the initial stage to the end of its
life cycle.
Distribution
The compilation and evaluation of inputs,
outputs, and potential environmental impacts
of a product system throughout its life cycle
Use
Final
Disposal?
Emerged as a response to the growing concern
over the environmental impacts of products
and services consumed by society
Basic principles LCA
Completeness
Transparency
Relevance
• LCA considers
all relevant
environmental
impacts
throughout the
entire life cycle
of a product
• LCA requires
clear
documentation
and reporting
of the data,
assumptions,
and methods
used
• LCA focuses on
the most
significant and
relevant
impacts
related to the
product or
process being
assessed.
Scope and System Boundaries
System Boundaries
Functional Unit
System boundaries define the limits
of the system in LCA to identify the
relevant activities and processes
that contribute to environmental
impacts
The functional unit defines the
function and performance of the
product or process being assessed,
enabling comparisons between
different alternatives
Geographical Scope
Data Allocation
The geographical scope specifies
the location and context of the
LCA, taking into account regional
differences in environmental
conditions and resource availability
Data allocation methods are used
to distribute the environmental
impacts of multi-output
processes among specific
products
LCA: How it works!
LCA: Cradle to Grave
1. An upstream-todownstream (cradle-tograve) approach used to
quantitatively assess a
product system.
2. A method for evaluating
the environmental
impacts of a product or
service throughout its
life cycle, from raw
material extraction to
final disposal.
LCA: Cradle to Grave
LCA: Ecological Loop
Simulation Data Approach
Simulation Data Approach
Simulation Data Approach
Application of LCA
Application of LCA
Define the goal, system
boundaries, functional unit,
and geographical scope.
Collect data and information
on the product or service, and
identify its life cycle stages.
Inventory analysis,
characterization analysis, and
toxicology analysis.
Characterization analysis
Metode midpoint, metode
endpoint, dan metode impact
pathway.
Performance assessment framework;
SNI ISO 14040, 2016
Inventory Data
Comparison of Software
Aspect
GaBi
SimaPro
openLCA
License
Paid
Paid
Free
Main users
Industry
Academia & researchers General/researchers
Ease of use
Difficult
Moderate
Moderate
Database
Very strong
Comprehensive
Depends
Flexibility
High
High
Very high
Application Sofftware
Application Software: GaBi
Application Software: SimaPro
Application Sofftware: Open LCA
Life Cycle in Food System
Life Cycle in Food System
Future Direction in LCA
The low level of maturity of the technology will also determine higher uncertainty in the
results. Looking at the future, trends could be assessed combining LCA with scenario analysis.
Why LCA?
Importance
Identifying the environmental
impacts of products or services
Reducing production costs
Improving production efficiency
and resource utilization
Ensuring compliance with
environmental regulations
Enhancing corporate image
Supporting business and
investment decision-making
Conclusion
1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a cradle-to-grave (upstream-todownstream) approach used to quantitatively assess a product
system.
2. LCA is a method for evaluating the environmental impacts of a
product or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material
extraction to final disposal.
3. It involves the collection and analysis of data related to emissions,
energy consumption, waste generation, and natural resource use
across all stages of the life cycle.
4. The objective of LCA is to assist companies or organizations in
identifying opportunities for improvement and reducing
environmental impacts, thereby supporting more sustainable decisionmaking.”