195
© The Author(s) 2015
G. Sonnemann, M. Margni (eds.), Life Cycle Management,
LCA Compendium – The Complete World of Life Cycle Assessment,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1_14
Chapter 14
Life Cycle Management Responsibilities
and Procedures in the Value Chain
Fritz Balkau , Eskinder Demisse Gemechu , and Guido Sonnemann
Abstract Product life cycles and companies’ value chain dynamics now extend
to far- away countries, linking a multitude of end-users with numerous upstream
suppliers and manufacturers. The breadth of the sustainability issues of popular
concern, together with the complex nature of supply chains from which they arise,
leads to serious management challenges. These challenges have been met in
different ways depending on the interests and the institutional context of the actors.
Corporations are strongly focused on optimizing product performance through a
reliance on life cycle assessment based procedures. Commodity sectors are often
seeking harmonized sustainability performance across a broad geographical range.
Management institutions and business associations are providing life cycle management frameworks for corporations, followed up with training, and further research
into improved metrics. At regional level some efforts have been made to introduce
life cycle approaches, e.g. sustainable procurement, but the formal application of
structured life cycle management is not yet widespread. The different approaches
taken by the above actors refl ects not only their different situations, but also the lack
of a clear universal framework for life cycle management and a more generalized
toolbox that will support their sustainability ambitions throughout the value chain.
Limitations of current life cycle assessment methodologies imply that not all sustainability challenges are addressed in a consistent manner.
Keywords Life cycle assessment • Life cycle management • Responsibilities
• Supply chain • Value chain
F. Balkau (*)
Sustainable Solutions , 4 rue le Regrattier , 75004 Paris , France
e-mail: fbalkau@gmail.com
E. D. Gemechu • G. Sonnemann
University of Bordeaux, ISM, UMR 5255 , 33400 Talence , France
CNRS, ISM, UMR 5255 , 33400 Talence , France
© The Author(s) 2015
G. Sonnemann, M. Margni (eds.), Life Cycle Management,
LCA Compendium – The Complete World of Life Cycle Assessment,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1_14
Chapter 14
Life Cycle Management Responsibilities
and Procedures in the Value Chain
Fritz Balkau , Eskinder Demisse Gemechu , and Guido Sonnemann
Abstract Product life cycles and companies’ value chain dynamics now extend
to far- away countries, linking a multitude of end-users with numerous upstream
suppliers and manufacturers. The breadth of the sustainability issues of popular
concern, together with the complex nature of supply chains from which they arise,
leads to serious management challenges. These challenges have been met in
different ways depending on the interests and the institutional context of the actors.
Corporations are strongly focused on optimizing product performance through a
reliance on life cycle assessment based procedures. Commodity sectors are often
seeking harmonized sustainability performance across a broad geographical range.
Management institutions and business associations are providing life cycle management frameworks for corporations, followed up with training, and further research
into improved metrics. At regional level some efforts have been made to introduce
life cycle approaches, e.g. sustainable procurement, but the formal application of
structured life cycle management is not yet widespread. The different approaches
taken by the above actors refl ects not only their different situations, but also the lack
of a clear universal framework for life cycle management and a more generalized
toolbox that will support their sustainability ambitions throughout the value chain.
Limitations of current life cycle assessment methodologies imply that not all sustainability challenges are addressed in a consistent manner.
Keywords Life cycle assessment • Life cycle management • Responsibilities
• Supply chain • Value chain
F. Balkau (*)
Sustainable Solutions , 4 rue le Regrattier , 75004 Paris , France
e-mail: fbalkau@gmail.com
E. D. Gemechu • G. Sonnemann
University of Bordeaux, ISM, UMR 5255 , 33400 Talence , France
CNRS, ISM, UMR 5255 , 33400 Talence , France