Page 90 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Chapter 8
Scope Definition

Anders Bjørn, Mikołaj Owsianiak, Alexis Laurent, Stig Irving Olsen,
Andrea Corona and Michael Z. Hauschild

Abstract The scope definition is the second phase of an LCA. It determines what
product systems are to be assessed and how this assessment should take place. This
chapter teaches howtoperform a scopedefinition.First, important terminologyand key
concepts of LCA are introduced. Then, the nine items making up a scope definition are
elaborately explained: (1) Deliverables. (2) Object of assessment, (3) LCI modelling
framework and handling of multifunctional processes, (4) System boundaries and
completeness requirements, (5) Representativeness of LCI data, (6) Preparing the basis
for theimpactassessment,(7) Specialrequirementsforsystemcomparisons,(8) Critical
review needs and (9) Planning reporting of results. The instructions relate both to the
performance and reporting of a scope definition and are largely based on ILCD.

Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, the reader should be able to:
• Define the scope of any LCA study.
• Explain each of the nine scope items and their relevance for the subsequent LCA
phases.
• Define a functional unit for any kind of LCA study.
• Explain the fundamental characteristics of an attributional and a consequential
modellingapproach and how the decision context determines the choice between
them.
• Explain how the iterative approach to LCA helps getting the system boundaries
and completeness right.

A. Bjørn (&) M. Owsianiak A. Laurent S.I. Olsen A. Corona M.Z. Hauschild
Division for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Management
Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
e-mail: anders.bjoern@polymtl.ca
A. Bjørn
CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal, 3333 Chemin Queen-Mary, Montreal, QC, Canada
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018 75
M.Z. Hauschild et al. (eds.), Life Cycle Assessment,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_8