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Overview of the Life Cycle Inventory Program of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative

Overview of the Life Cycle Inventory Program of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. Gregory A. Norris, Ph.D. Sylvatica / Harvard School of Public Health. Outline. Review of initial, motivating needs Context Process overview Definition Study Objectives Definition Study Methods

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Overview of the Life Cycle Inventory Program of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative

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  1. Overview of theLife Cycle Inventory Programof the UNEP/SETACLife Cycle Initiative Gregory A. Norris, Ph.D. Sylvatica / Harvard School of Public Health

  2. Outline • Review of initial, motivating needs • Context • Process overview • Definition Study Objectives • Definition Study Methods • Definition Study Work Program • Input, questions, discussion

  3. LCA being actively applied LCA accuracy LCA credibility LCA feasibility High quality, transparent, publicly-available LCI data The importance of LCI data LCA accurately informing decisions and improving environmental quality

  4. Review LCI database needs • Expanded geographic coverage • Expanded technological coverage • Comparability / consistency • Transparency • Exchange Data Methods

  5. Review of Context • There is already much positive activity • National data projects • Cooperation projects • ISO 1404x standards • LCI program should • Compliment, strengthen, harmonize, link Not • Duplicate, compete, conflict

  6. User Needs Assessment User Needs Assessment LCI Definition Study LCI Program

  7. User community includes: • Those who use LCI data and software tools to conduct LCIs and LCAs • Those who provide LCI data and software tools • For-profit • Not-for-profit • Those who use the results of LCAs to • Make decisions in … • Provide guidance to … Industry, government, NGOs, purchasers

  8. User diversity • Needs and concerns of users may vary significantly across & within user groups • By country or region • “North” and “South” • By company size • By economic sector • Outreach and involvement must be comprehensive

  9. Process Overview Identify needs and concerns Specify objectives and deliverables Specify workplan LCI Program Scope of the LCI Definition Study

  10. Definition Study • Data • Identify high-need data • Identify needed characteristics of data • Methods • Identify user needs for LCI methods guidance*, consistency, harmonization. Examples: • Allocation • Process type boundaries, missing data approaches • Flow types to included • Application  marginal vs. average model, or attributional vs. consequential model • * Recommended practice for different application needs

  11. Methods • Workshops • Internet forum periods: global review and comment • Global draft author team • Global review panel

  12. Definition Study Work Plan • Task 1: Survey needs and concerns • Includes review of methods diversity • Web-facilitated user input • Task 2: LCI Program Work Plan • Deliverables • Steps, process • Schedule, budget Work Plan Brainstorm meeting Input via web Draft Review / comment

  13. State of Practice Review /Harmomization Opportunity Assessment • Meeting in Vienna 16 May 2002 • Review protocols of LCI databases, with emphasis on those in progress • Identify opportunities to harmonize key characteristics

  14. Key Characteristics of LCI DB • Allocation method(s) • Classes of input/process included • Boundary cut-off rules and procedure • Level of unit process detail available to users • Elementary flow types, nomenclature • Documentation • Uncertainty; treatment of data gaps • Modeling paradigm (consequent/attribution) • Peer review approach and availability

  15. Vision for LCI Program • Remember: User Needs  Program Goals Still… • Envision LCI Program Delivering: • Projects or agreement on multinational efforts to address common data needs • Stimulated data development in other countries • Harmonization of national LCI database protocols, enhancing comparability and linkability • Case-based recommended practice on methods for LCI

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