Elinkaarikriteerejä

Elinkaarikriteerit, or lifecycle criteria, are a set of principles and standards used to evaluate the environmental and social impact of a product or service throughout its entire lifecycle. This lifecycle encompasses all stages, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to distribution, use, and eventual disposal or recycling. The goal of applying elinkaarikriteerit is to promote sustainability by identifying and minimizing negative impacts at each phase.

These criteria often consider factors such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation, resource depletion, and the potential for pollution. Social aspects like fair labor practices, worker safety, and community impact are also increasingly integrated into lifecycle assessments. By taking a holistic view, elinkaarikriteerit encourage designers, manufacturers, and consumers to make more informed decisions that lead to more sustainable outcomes.

The application of elinkaarikriteerit can inform product development, guide procurement policies, and support environmental labeling schemes. They provide a framework for comparing different options and identifying areas for improvement. For example, a product might score well on energy efficiency during its use phase but have a high impact during raw material extraction, highlighting a trade-off that needs careful consideration. Ultimately, elinkaarikriteerit aim to foster a circular economy and reduce the overall environmental footprint of human activities.