Livsløksanalyser

Livsløksanalyser, a term originating from Norwegian, translates to "life cycle analysis" in English. It is a methodology used to assess 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. This comprehensive approach aims to identify and quantify environmental burdens such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste generation.

The primary goal of a livsløksanalyse is to provide a holistic understanding of a product's environmental footprint, enabling informed decision-making for improvement. This can involve identifying "hotspots" within the life cycle where environmental impacts are most significant, allowing companies and researchers to focus their efforts on the most effective areas for reduction. The process typically involves defining the scope and boundaries of the analysis, compiling inventory data on inputs and outputs at each stage, and then evaluating the potential environmental impacts based on this data.

Livsløksanalyser are employed across various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and consumer goods, to guide product design, material selection, and end-of-life management strategies. It serves as a valuable tool for promoting sustainability, facilitating eco-design, and supporting environmental policy development. By considering the entire life cycle, it helps to avoid burden shifting, where reducing an impact at one stage might inadvertently increase it at another.