What does an LCA or any Environmental Assessment provide?

An LCA, or Life Cycle Assessment, along with any Environmental Assessment, provides the best available scientific estimate of a product's environmental impact. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of the various stages of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction through production, use, and eventual disposal or recycling.

LCAs assess multiple environmental factors, including resource consumption, energy use, emissions to air and water, and waste generation, allowing stakeholders to understand how their product interacts with the environment over its entire lifespan. The systematic nature of LCAs helps in identifying the most significant environmental impacts and opportunities for improvement, making them critical tools for product design, sustainability assessments, and informed decision-making.

This scientific rigor in measuring environmental impact sets LCAs apart from other types of data that may focus on projections, historical performance, or consumer trends. Understanding the real environmental implications of products is essential for promoting sustainability and reducing negative impacts.