Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A method for quantifying the environmental impacts of a product or system across its whole life cycle, standardised in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. A study runs through four phases: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. Results are always expressed per functional unit, which is what makes two different solutions to the same need comparable. In AWARE, LCA is the environmental pillar of the combined sustainability assessment.