Elinkaariperusteisuus

Elinkaariperusteisuus is a Finnish term that translates to "life cycle perspective" or "life cycle thinking." It is a concept that considers the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product, service, or activity throughout its entire existence, from raw material extraction to its eventual disposal or reuse. This holistic approach aims to identify and minimize negative consequences at every stage, promoting more sustainable practices.

The life cycle assessment (LCA) is a key tool used to implement elinkaariperusteisuus. LCA involves systematically evaluating the environmental burdens associated with all processes that consume energy and resources, release the environment, or have other environmental impacts. This can include manufacturing, transportation, use, maintenance, and end-of-life management. By understanding the full spectrum of impacts, decision-makers can make more informed choices about design, production, consumption, and waste management.

Applying elinkaariperusteisuus helps in identifying trade-offs and potential improvements that might be overlooked if only a single stage of a product's life is considered. For example, a product that is energy-efficient during its use phase might have a significant environmental footprint during its manufacturing. Elinkaariperusteisuus encourages looking beyond immediate benefits to achieve long-term sustainability goals. This concept is increasingly important in policy-making, business strategy, and consumer awareness.