Elinkaarenäkökulma

Elinkaarenäkökulma, often translated as life cycle perspective or life cycle thinking, is an approach used to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product, service, or system throughout its entire existence. This includes all stages from raw material extraction and manufacturing to use, distribution, and end-of-life management, such as reuse, recycling, or disposal. The core principle is to consider the entire chain of events and resources involved, rather than focusing solely on a single phase.

This perspective helps to identify potential hotspots of impact and opportunities for improvement that might be overlooked if only a limited scope is considered. For example, a product that appears environmentally friendly during its use phase might have significant impacts during its manufacturing or disposal. By adopting an elinkaarenäkökulma, decision-makers can make more informed choices about design, production, consumption, and waste management. It encourages a shift towards sustainability by fostering a holistic understanding of consequences.

Applications of elinkaarenäkökulma are widespread. In product development, it guides designers to create more sustainable goods. In business strategy, it can inform investment decisions and supply chain management. In policy-making, it helps in developing regulations that address the full spectrum of impacts. Methodologies like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are commonly used to quantify these impacts, providing data-driven insights for implementing the elinkaarenäkökulma effectively.