References
101
data describing the emissions and resource flows in different areas, and questions
exist about which level of spatial and temporal resolution is sufficient.
In addition to the progress made, there are also a few ongoing challenges
still to be addressed. For example, there remains to be a lack of harmonized life
cycle data for inclusion in a product’s labeling, as well as a shortfall of simple,
standardized ways in which life cycle information can be shared with consumers so
they understand. This is, of course, in addition to all the data gaps that still exist to
describe the emissions and impacts involved across the life cycles of many products.
Room for improvement also still exists for inventory databases, which do not
yet share standardized guidelines for ensuring data quality. Many of these inventory
databases are also still operating on a subscription basis. Ideally, life cycle inventory
information would instead be available for open and public use; however, this is
being hindered in part by the significant costs still associated with developing and
maintaining such databases.
Questions also continue to remain about how much uncertainty is acceptable
within an LCA. This is challenging given that life cycle data for parts of the supply
chain are often still unknown, even to the companies creating the products. While
manufacturers may sometimes have contact with their direct suppliers, information
from further up in the value chain may have already been lost or not even tracked
to begin with. New technologies and concepts such as blockchain are now being
discussed as possible solutions to help close such data gaps and better manage data
(Zhang et al., 2020; Bumblauskas et al., 2019; Bjerkenes and Haddara, 2020).
References
Althaus HJ, Chudacoff M, Hischier R, Jungbluth N, Osses M, Primas A (2007) Life Cycle
Inventories of Chemicals. Tech. rep., Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories, Dübendorf
Bare J (2011) TRACI 2.0: the tool for the reduction and assessment of chemical and other environmental impacts 2.0. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 13(5):687–696, https://doi.
org/10.1007/s10098-010-0338-9, URL http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10098-010-0338-9
BASF (2018) Eco-Efficiency Analysis. URL https://www.basf.com/en/company/sustainability/
management-and-instruments/quantifying-sustainability/eco-efficiency-analysis.html
Benoît C, Norris GA, Valdivia S, Ciroth A, Moberg A, Bos U, Prakash S, Ugaya C, Beck T (2010)
The guidelines for social life cycle assessment of products: just in time! The International
Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 15(2):156–163, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-009-01478, URL http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11367-009-0147-8
Bjerkenes M, Haddara M (2020) Blockchain Technology Solutions for Supply Chains. Springer
International Publishing, pp 909–918, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32520-6_65, URL
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-32520-6_65
Blue Angel (2020) Survey of all Basic Award Criteria. URL https://www.blauer-engel.de/en/
companies/basic-award-criteria
Brealey R, Myers S, Allen F (2017) Principles of Corporate Finance, 12th edn. McGraw-Hill
Bulle C, Margni M, Patouillard L, Boulay AM, Bourgault G, De Bruille V, Cao V, Hauschild M,
Henderson A, Humbert S, Kashef-Haghighi S, Kounina A, Laurent A, Levasseur A, Liard G,
Rosenbaum RK, Roy PO, Shaked S, Fantke P, Jolliet O (2019) IMPACT World+: a globally
regionalized life cycle impact assessment method. The International Journal of Life Cycle
Assessment 24(9):1653–1674, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-019-01583-0, URL http://link.
springer.com/10.1007/s11367-019-01583-0
101
data describing the emissions and resource flows in different areas, and questions
exist about which level of spatial and temporal resolution is sufficient.
In addition to the progress made, there are also a few ongoing challenges
still to be addressed. For example, there remains to be a lack of harmonized life
cycle data for inclusion in a product’s labeling, as well as a shortfall of simple,
standardized ways in which life cycle information can be shared with consumers so
they understand. This is, of course, in addition to all the data gaps that still exist to
describe the emissions and impacts involved across the life cycles of many products.
Room for improvement also still exists for inventory databases, which do not
yet share standardized guidelines for ensuring data quality. Many of these inventory
databases are also still operating on a subscription basis. Ideally, life cycle inventory
information would instead be available for open and public use; however, this is
being hindered in part by the significant costs still associated with developing and
maintaining such databases.
Questions also continue to remain about how much uncertainty is acceptable
within an LCA. This is challenging given that life cycle data for parts of the supply
chain are often still unknown, even to the companies creating the products. While
manufacturers may sometimes have contact with their direct suppliers, information
from further up in the value chain may have already been lost or not even tracked
to begin with. New technologies and concepts such as blockchain are now being
discussed as possible solutions to help close such data gaps and better manage data
(Zhang et al., 2020; Bumblauskas et al., 2019; Bjerkenes and Haddara, 2020).
References
Althaus HJ, Chudacoff M, Hischier R, Jungbluth N, Osses M, Primas A (2007) Life Cycle
Inventories of Chemicals. Tech. rep., Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories, Dübendorf
Bare J (2011) TRACI 2.0: the tool for the reduction and assessment of chemical and other environmental impacts 2.0. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 13(5):687–696, https://doi.
org/10.1007/s10098-010-0338-9, URL http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10098-010-0338-9
BASF (2018) Eco-Efficiency Analysis. URL https://www.basf.com/en/company/sustainability/
management-and-instruments/quantifying-sustainability/eco-efficiency-analysis.html
Benoît C, Norris GA, Valdivia S, Ciroth A, Moberg A, Bos U, Prakash S, Ugaya C, Beck T (2010)
The guidelines for social life cycle assessment of products: just in time! The International
Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 15(2):156–163, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-009-01478, URL http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11367-009-0147-8
Bjerkenes M, Haddara M (2020) Blockchain Technology Solutions for Supply Chains. Springer
International Publishing, pp 909–918, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32520-6_65, URL
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-32520-6_65
Blue Angel (2020) Survey of all Basic Award Criteria. URL https://www.blauer-engel.de/en/
companies/basic-award-criteria
Brealey R, Myers S, Allen F (2017) Principles of Corporate Finance, 12th edn. McGraw-Hill
Bulle C, Margni M, Patouillard L, Boulay AM, Bourgault G, De Bruille V, Cao V, Hauschild M,
Henderson A, Humbert S, Kashef-Haghighi S, Kounina A, Laurent A, Levasseur A, Liard G,
Rosenbaum RK, Roy PO, Shaked S, Fantke P, Jolliet O (2019) IMPACT World+: a globally
regionalized life cycle impact assessment method. The International Journal of Life Cycle
Assessment 24(9):1653–1674, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-019-01583-0, URL http://link.
springer.com/10.1007/s11367-019-01583-0