Life Cycle Analysis

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In this course, the individual phases in the preparation of a life cycle assessment are explained using various practical examples.

•     phases: Determination of objective & scope of investigation, preparation of the life cycle inventory, impact assessment, evaluation
•     Presentation of the relevant standards (ISO 14040 and ISO 14044)
•     Examples of life cycle assessments for products, processes, companies, services, economies
•     Procedure for defining the functional unit and defining the system (Cradle to Grave, Cradle to Product, ...)
•     Dealing with by-products, recycling and waste (allocation, system expansion etc)
•     Methodological aspects: Land use changes, attributional vs. consequential life cycle assessments
•     Scientific background knowledge on environmental impacts and their representation as impact categories including characterisation factors (e.g. climate warming - kg CO2 equivalents)
•     Methodological aspects of impact assessment: damage modelling, difference to tolerance level, ecological scarcity, environmental impact points

Students will learn about the life cycle assessment method as a quantitative method for estimating environmental impact: The students

•     can identify potential environmental impacts
•     are able to explain the methodological approaches to impact assessment
•     have an overview of the possibilities and limits of the life cycle assessment method
•     have the ability to carry out simple life cycle assessments of products and services
•     can critically analyse life cycle assessments
•     get to know a software tool for carrying out life cycle assessments

•     Lecture
•     Exercise
•     Discussions
•     Coaching

• Preparation of a life cycle assessment (individually or in small groups) and Presentation of the LCA as e.g. poster (55%)
• Oral examination for the course with reference to the life cycle assessment (35%)
• Presentation of the ISO standards (10%)

For a positive overall grade, at least 50% of the points must be achieved in the life cycle assessment including presentation and oral examination.

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•     Baumann, Henrikke; Tillman, Anne-Marie (2004): The hitch hikers's guide to LCA: an orientation in life cycle assessment methodology and application. Lund: Student literature.
•     Frischknecht, Rolf (2020): Textbook on Life Cycle Assessment. Springer spectrum. Online on the Internet: DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-54763-2 (accessed on: 03.07.2020).
•     Klöpffer, Walter; Grahl, Birgit (2009): Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): a guide for education and career. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.
•     ISO/TC 207/SC 5 (2006a): Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework. ISO 14040:2006.
•     ISO/TC 207/SC 5 (2006b): Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines. ISO 14044:2006.
•     Articles from professional journals

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