Journal Article

How can LCA include prospective elements to assess emerging technologies and system transitions? The 76th LCA Discussion Forum on Life Cycle Assessment, 19 November 2020

van der Hulst Mitchell K, Guillén-Gonsálbez Gonzalo, Navarre, Nicolas H, Hauck, Mara, Salieri Beatrice, Arvidsson Rickard, Buyle Matthias, Raka, Adrianto Lugas, Sala Serenella, Steubing Bernhard, Pedneault Julien, Pizzol Massimo, Toon, van Harmelen, Kaddoura Mohamad, Tokaya, Janot P, Blanco, Carlos F, Caldeira, Carla

2021

Overview

This paper summarizes the 76th LCA Discussion Forum end its main findings. Main issues when addressing emerging technologies identified were: the lack of primary data, the need for (shared) future background scenarios and (guidlines for) a common methodology. The following recommendations have been derived by the organizers: 1) Specific foreground inventories are always tailor-made, but consistency can be improved through lists of mandatory considerations. 2) Continue sharing (future) technology data and proxy processes, that can be readily replicated to new studies and assist in developing inventories. 3) Streamline and unify the process of including scenarios for background systems. New approaches may provide first important solutions to efficiently include consistent future scenarios in prospective LCA.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Case studies / College professors / Conferences / Inventories / Laboratories / Life cycle analysis / Life cycle assessment / Life cycles / Materials management / New technology / Software / Sustainable materials