Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

INTRODUCTIONWhat is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?HistoryThe Structure of LCAStandardization of LCALiterature and Information on LCAGOAL AND SCOPE DEFINITIONGoal DefinitionScopeIllustration of the Component "Definition of Goal and Scope" unsing an Example of PracticeLIFE CYCLE INVENTORY ANALYSISBasicsEnergy AnalysisAllocationProcurement, Origin and Quality of DataData Aggregation and UnitsPresentation of Inventory ResultsIllustration of the Inventory Phase by an ExampleLIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENTBasic Principle of Life Cycle Impact AssessmentMethod of Critical VolumesStructure of Impact Assessment according to ISO 14040 and 14044Method of Impact Categories (Environmental Problem Fields)Impact Categories, Impact Indicators and Characterization FactorsIllustration of the Impact Assessment Phase by Practical ExampleLIFE CYCLE INTERPRETATION, REPORTING AND CRITICAL REVIEWDevelopment and Rank of the Phase InterpretationThe Phase Interpretation According to ISOTechniques for Result AnalysisReportingCritical ReviewIllustration of the Component Interpretation Using an Example of PracticeFROM LCA TO SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTSustainabilityThe Three Dimensions of SustainabilityState of the Art of MethodsOne Life Cycle Assessment or Three?ConclusionsAPPENDIXSolutions of ExercisesStandard Report Sheet of Electricity Mix (Germany)Subject Index

Walter Klöpffer is consultant for life cycle and chemicals assessment in Frankfurt (Germany). After his studies of chemistry at the University of Graz (Austria) he was working for nearly thirty years at the Battelle Institute e.V. in Frankfurt, followed by a position at C.A.U. Ltd. in Dreieich (Germany). Since 1975 he has also been Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Mainz. Professor Klöpffer is the founding editor and current editor-in-chief of 'The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment'.Birgit Grahl studied chemistry at the University of Hamburg (Germany). She then headed the chemistry department of the Öko-Institut e.V. Freiburg (Germany), followed by several years as co-owner and director of a commercial laboratory (Germany) and afterwards working as a freelance consultant in the field of industrial ecology. Dr. Grahl was involved in the development of the ISO 14040 series, is a member of the editorial board of 'The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment' and professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Lübeck (Germany).