Page 32 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT 13

1.9.3 LCA Supports Decision Making and Sustainability
Subsequent chapters then broaden the scope of the book by exploring how
LCA can be integrated with economic and social aspects of sustainability to
provide a deeper analysis that encompasses relevant dynamic mechanisms.
In this vein, Potting, Gheewala, Bonnet, and van Buuren look at four assess-
ment methods associated with human health and environmental impacts
(Technology Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment, Risk Assessment,
and LCA) to provide guidance to stakeholders on when to use what assess-
ment method. Prado, Rogers, and Seager also give a critical eye to the interpre-
tation of impacts, specifically how normalization and valuation are applied in
the decision making process.
Benoit Norris dedicates a chapter to the newer, fast growing area of social
LCA methodology, and why it should be of interest to decision makers along
with environmental assessment approaches. Building on social LCA and con-
sidering the cost aspect along with LCA, Zamagni, Guinee, Heijungs and
Masoni present a framework for "Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis/' LCSA
is intended to deepen the scope of analyses by integrating physical, social,
economic, cultural, institutional and political considerations into the decision
making process. Stevenson and Ingwersen explore environmental product
claims that range from simple product characteristic claims made by manufac-
turers to those based on full LCA with additional metrics

1.9.4 Operationalizing LCA

The final chapters offer a look at the role that life cycle information, in the
hands of companies, governments and consumers, may have in improving the
environmental performance of products and technologies
LCA practitioners in developed countries struggle to keep up with demand of
their services. Developing countries and emerging economies are even less capa-
ble of harnessing the potential in LCA for sustainable development. In "Building
Capacity for Life Cycle Assessment in Developing Countries" Toolsearam
addresses the critical issue of building a critical mass of mass of people with the
right capacities in LCA in less developed regions of the world.
Internationally, the success of the sustainability paradigm needs the par-
ticipation of many stakeholders, including citizens, corporations, academia,
and NGOs. Governments in particular play a very important role with the
leverage they have through procurement, regulation, international treaties,
tax incentives, public outreach, and other policy tools. In "Environmental
Accountability: A New Paradigm for World Trade is Emerging," Ngo pres-
ents her view of a shifting world paradigm where LCA is the foundation of
decision-making in regulation and commerce, and poses a number of oppor-
tunities and challenges.
And finally, Fava provides personal reflections on how "Life Cycle
Information Informs Greener Products." He points to a trend for incorpo-
rating life cycle information into the design and development processes for