the challenge
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is considered as the most advanced tool for improving the environmental performance of products. There are however barriers that reduce its implementation, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as data intensity, costs, and expertise required to run the LCA studies. Sector-specific eco-design approaches, that do not require the designer to have LCA knowledge, are a way forward. Despite the enormous efforts by the scientific community in advancing the methodology LCAs are rarely performed or used by SMEs. A breakthrough is needed in terms of complexity reduction and applicability.
project objectives
LCA to go
develops sectoral methods and tools for
bio-based plastics,
industrial machines,
electronics
(including printed circuit
boards, semiconductors and passive components),
renewable energy,
sensors and
smart textiles.
These sectors have been chosen, as the
manufacturers show a high interest in making clear the environmental
benefits of their products to customers (Green industries
) and in
prioritizing so they can reduce their environmental impacts. Carbon
Footprints are a perfect entry point for
SMEs to
LCA strategies.
Thus, implementation of an
SME-compatible
PCF methodology
is a key element of
the project. The project has to bridge the language gap
between
the environmental terminology used in
LCAs and
the engineering language of product developers.
to go
A summary brochure is available under documents. You can download this brochure for offline reading.
expected results
- impact sectors of 500,000+ SMEs
- 100 SMEs mentored
- 100 new or im
proved products
- new LCA web tools
- har
mon ised stand ards - policy re
commend at ions
If you would like to know more and get involved please: contact.us