Elinikäanalyysejä

Elinikäanalyysi, or life cycle analysis (LCA), is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling. The goal of LCA is to identify the environmental burdens of a product or service across its entire life cycle, allowing for informed decision-making to reduce these impacts.

The LCA process typically involves four main phases: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis (LCI), impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation. In the goal and scope definition, the purpose of the study and the boundaries of the system under investigation are clearly established. The LCI phase quantifies all the inputs and outputs of the system, such as energy consumption, raw material use, emissions to air, water, and soil. The LCIA translates these inventory data into potential environmental impacts, such as climate change, acidification, eutrophication, and resource depletion. Finally, the interpretation phase involves analyzing the results, identifying the most significant impacts, and drawing conclusions and recommendations.

LCA can be applied to a wide range of products and services, from consumer goods and packaging to energy systems and buildings. It is a valuable tool for environmental management, product development, policy making, and marketing. By understanding the environmental hotspots in a product's life cycle, companies can focus their efforts on the most effective strategies for improvement, such as material substitution, process optimization, or end-of-life management.