communication of life cycle based environmental labelling. The key message from
the research group behind the presentation is education of consumers in all levels of
the society [7].
3 Discussion on Messages and Outcomes
After their talk, the presenters were invited to be part of a panel discussion to raise
the perspective of the individual company to a society level.
They were first invited to discuss the actions needed in order to make progress
towards a more sustainable industry, what actions are needed.
Need for harmonization and collaboration were agreed on among the participants
in the panel. According to Mr. Van Hoof, “International harmonization is a key word
to drive sustainability actions”. Mr. Van Hoof and Mr. Van Hemelryck also discussed
the importance of communicating products’ environmental impact and understand
customers’ needs and interest were also discussed. Mr. Sonnen added the perspectives
on financial rewarding systems to the table, and Mrs. Lewandowska highlighted the
importance of education and to educate employees, business partners, customers,
students, children, advising the use of the life cycle perspective as a basis to give trust.
Then the panelists were questioned about that key aspects needed for the
environmental footprint methodologies to be put into practice.
The panel highlighted important factors such as the need to develop some
trainings for companies and non-LCA experts and guidelines translated into different languages (Mrs. Lewandowska), make it trustable for the consumers and not
risk to lose trust within some years (Mr. Sonnen), create incentives on communication and make LCA tools and data accessible (Mr. Del Grosso).
Other questions raised by the audience resulted in a discussion about responsibilities for the consumers, retailers and policy makers. It was raised by Mrs.
Schreiber and Mr. Van Hemelryck that some of the requirements, coming by any of
the three types of stakeholders can drive the environmental performance of products
or companies in the wrong direction and could be harmful. For instance, retailers
are fighting to satisfy their customers and therefore they put requirements on
farmers for e.g. limiting or prohibiting pesticides and herbicides use. Other
requirements coming from the European Commission and/or national governments
legislation also exist regarding these substances. Then farmers have to deal with so
many different regulations that they do not know how to act. The panel also
reflected on a market with only eco-labeled products, but as highlighted by Mr.
Sonnen it seems to be a long way to go.
The panelists ended with key messages for the session. All agreed on the need
for incentives for collaborations along the value chain, with other companies and
with consumers. Life cycle based information appeared as the best way forward to
gain trust in the market. As a scientific based method, life cycle based approached
Implementation and Management of Life Cycle Approaches …
159
the research group behind the presentation is education of consumers in all levels of
the society [7].
3 Discussion on Messages and Outcomes
After their talk, the presenters were invited to be part of a panel discussion to raise
the perspective of the individual company to a society level.
They were first invited to discuss the actions needed in order to make progress
towards a more sustainable industry, what actions are needed.
Need for harmonization and collaboration were agreed on among the participants
in the panel. According to Mr. Van Hoof, “International harmonization is a key word
to drive sustainability actions”. Mr. Van Hoof and Mr. Van Hemelryck also discussed
the importance of communicating products’ environmental impact and understand
customers’ needs and interest were also discussed. Mr. Sonnen added the perspectives
on financial rewarding systems to the table, and Mrs. Lewandowska highlighted the
importance of education and to educate employees, business partners, customers,
students, children, advising the use of the life cycle perspective as a basis to give trust.
Then the panelists were questioned about that key aspects needed for the
environmental footprint methodologies to be put into practice.
The panel highlighted important factors such as the need to develop some
trainings for companies and non-LCA experts and guidelines translated into different languages (Mrs. Lewandowska), make it trustable for the consumers and not
risk to lose trust within some years (Mr. Sonnen), create incentives on communication and make LCA tools and data accessible (Mr. Del Grosso).
Other questions raised by the audience resulted in a discussion about responsibilities for the consumers, retailers and policy makers. It was raised by Mrs.
Schreiber and Mr. Van Hemelryck that some of the requirements, coming by any of
the three types of stakeholders can drive the environmental performance of products
or companies in the wrong direction and could be harmful. For instance, retailers
are fighting to satisfy their customers and therefore they put requirements on
farmers for e.g. limiting or prohibiting pesticides and herbicides use. Other
requirements coming from the European Commission and/or national governments
legislation also exist regarding these substances. Then farmers have to deal with so
many different regulations that they do not know how to act. The panel also
reflected on a market with only eco-labeled products, but as highlighted by Mr.
Sonnen it seems to be a long way to go.
The panelists ended with key messages for the session. All agreed on the need
for incentives for collaborations along the value chain, with other companies and
with consumers. Life cycle based information appeared as the best way forward to
gain trust in the market. As a scientific based method, life cycle based approached
Implementation and Management of Life Cycle Approaches …
159