This first hands-on guide to ISO-compliant Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) makes this powerful tool immediately accessible to both professionals and students. Following a general introduction on the philosophy and purpose of LCA, the reader is taken through all the stages of a complete LCA analysis, with each step exemplified by real-life data from a major LCA project on beverage packaging. Measures as carbon and water footprint, based on the most recent international standards and definitions, are addressed.Written by two pioneers of LCA, this practical volume is targeted at first-time LCA users but equally makes a much-valued reference for more experienced practitioners. From the content:* Goal and Scope Definition* Life Cycle Inventory Analysis* Life Cycle Impact Assessment* Interpretation, Reporting and Critical Review* From LCA to Sustainability Assessmentand more.

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 Factors Illustration 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