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This first practical guide to the topic walks readers through all the stages of a complete LCA analysis, with each step exemplified by real-life data from a major LCA project. With a special emphasis on sustainability measures, including carbon and water footprints.

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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 Assessment
and more.

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INTRODUCTION
What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
History
The Structure of LCA
Standardization of LCA
Literature and Information on LCA
GOAL AND SCOPE DEFINITION
Goal Definition
Scope
Illustration of the Component "Definition of Goal and Scope" unsing an Example of Practice
LIFE CYCLE INVENTORY ANALYSIS
Basics
Energy Analysis
Allocation
Procurement, Origin and Quality of Data
Data Aggregation and Units
Presentation of Inventory Results
Illustration of the Inventory Phase by an Example
LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Basic Principle of Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Method of Critical Volumes
Structure of Impact Assessment according to ISO 14040 and 14044
Method of Impact Categories (Environmental Problem Fields)
Impact Categories, Impact Indicators and Characterization Factors
Illustration of the Impact Assessment Phase by Practical Example
LIFE CYCLE INTERPRETATION, REPORTING AND CRITICAL REVIEW
Development and Rank of the Phase Interpretation
The Phase Interpretation According to ISO
Techniques for Result Analysis
Reporting
Critical Review
Illustration of the Component Interpretation Using an Example of Practice
FROM LCA TO SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
Sustainability
The Three Dimensions of Sustainability
State of the Art of Methods
One Life Cycle Assessment or Three?
Conclusions
APPENDIX
Solutions of Exercises
Standard Report Sheet of Electricity Mix (Germany)
Subject Index

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