Improving Interpretation, Presentation
and Visualisation of LCA Studies
for Decision Making Support
Serenella Sala and Jessica Andreasson
Abstract Interpretation, presentation, and visualization of life cycle assessment
(LCA) results are key steps for ensuring proper decision support. Despite the interpretation being a crucial step, it is often not performed in a systematic way. For
example, sensitivity analysis, variability and uncertainties analyses, comparison with
results coming from different disciplines and domains are not properly done. So far,
numerous LCA studies have been published and are often used by decision makers
(both in business and policy contexts) to support the identification of hotspots or for
drawing conclusions from meta-reviews while missing a good interpretation.
Moreover, improving current practices in the visualisation of the results may help
both the interpretation and the communication of LCA by a broader audience.
1 Introduction
According to ISO 14040, interpretation is the phase of LCA in which the findings
from the inventory analysis and the impact assessment are considered together. It
should deliver results that are consistent with the defined goal and scope of the
study and which reach conclusions, explain limitations and provide recommendations. ISO 14044 further specifies that interpretation comprises the following elements: (i) identification of the significant issues based on the results of the life cycle
inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phases of LCA;
(ii) completeness, sensitivity and consistency checks; (iii) conclusions, limitations,
and recommendations.
Despite the interpretation is a crucial step for supporting decision making, this step
is often not performed in a systematic way. For example, sensitivity analysis from the
S. Sala (&)
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate D-Sustainable Resources,
Bio-Economy Unit, via Enrico Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, VA, Italy
e-mail: serenella.sala@ec.europa.eu
J. Andreasson
Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden
© The Author(s) 2018
E. Benetto et al. (eds.), Designing Sustainable Technologies,
Products and Policies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_37
337
and Visualisation of LCA Studies
for Decision Making Support
Serenella Sala and Jessica Andreasson
Abstract Interpretation, presentation, and visualization of life cycle assessment
(LCA) results are key steps for ensuring proper decision support. Despite the interpretation being a crucial step, it is often not performed in a systematic way. For
example, sensitivity analysis, variability and uncertainties analyses, comparison with
results coming from different disciplines and domains are not properly done. So far,
numerous LCA studies have been published and are often used by decision makers
(both in business and policy contexts) to support the identification of hotspots or for
drawing conclusions from meta-reviews while missing a good interpretation.
Moreover, improving current practices in the visualisation of the results may help
both the interpretation and the communication of LCA by a broader audience.
1 Introduction
According to ISO 14040, interpretation is the phase of LCA in which the findings
from the inventory analysis and the impact assessment are considered together. It
should deliver results that are consistent with the defined goal and scope of the
study and which reach conclusions, explain limitations and provide recommendations. ISO 14044 further specifies that interpretation comprises the following elements: (i) identification of the significant issues based on the results of the life cycle
inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phases of LCA;
(ii) completeness, sensitivity and consistency checks; (iii) conclusions, limitations,
and recommendations.
Despite the interpretation is a crucial step for supporting decision making, this step
is often not performed in a systematic way. For example, sensitivity analysis from the
S. Sala (&)
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate D-Sustainable Resources,
Bio-Economy Unit, via Enrico Fermi 2749, 21027 Ispra, VA, Italy
e-mail: serenella.sala@ec.europa.eu
J. Andreasson
Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden
© The Author(s) 2018
E. Benetto et al. (eds.), Designing Sustainable Technologies,
Products and Policies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_37
337