268
cycle national networks. Gender was analyzed based on the 2000 followers of the
UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. A discussion of the main fi ndings is presented
in the next sections.
The analysis of progress in the use of LCA in policies (see Sect. 2.7 ) could not
be completed, due to insuffi cient information. Nevertheless, Sect. 2.7.1 on “LCA in
policies” illustrates the situation in Thailand, China, Brazil and Mexico.
2.2 Capacity-Building for Life Cycle Sustainability
Management
Capacity-building for LCSM means a process of building (i) capabilities to use the
range of LCSM topics (see Fig. 19.2 ), (ii) relationships among key stakeholders
and users and (iii) awareness-raising on the importance of a holistic life cycle
perspective covering social, economic and environmental aspects in decision-making.
Training is just one element of the capacity-building process, which usually focuses
on providing skills for a specifi c problem (e.g. by learning how to generate LC data
or to use LCA software).
However, as can be seen from the example India, it does not make sense to
provide technical training if the managers are not convinced that LCSM is the way
to tackle sustainable development challenges in organizations. Therefore, a package
of training courses is needed, including LCM CMM and technical assistance for its
implementation in developing countries, as done between 2012 and 2013 (Swarr
et al. 2015a , b ).
The parameters analyzed in 18 countries show that multiple training activities on
both LCA and LCM, so in Thailand and Brazil, found a critical mass of experts to
contribute to mainstreaming LCSM. A critical mass is developing, due to emerging
efforts, in South Africa, Turkey, the other Latin American countries analyzed and
the Asian countries except Indonesia and the Philippines. In the two latter countries,
the level of LCA training activities is at a very early stage.
In Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and Saudi
Arabia, the offer of LCA and LCM training activities does not exist or is very limited.
Consequently, mainstreaming LCSM cannot be envisaged in the short term, and the
international community is asked for support in form of basic training activities.
2.3 LCA Studies and LCA Databases
The existence of LCA studies indicates the availability of local resources in terms
of life cycle experts and tools and minimum funding to cover the costs of performing
these studies. Subsequently, it also indicates the availability of some local foreground
data, which can feed a national LCA database, so in China, Mexico, Malaysia and
Thailand.
S. Valdivia et al.
cycle national networks. Gender was analyzed based on the 2000 followers of the
UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative. A discussion of the main fi ndings is presented
in the next sections.
The analysis of progress in the use of LCA in policies (see Sect. 2.7 ) could not
be completed, due to insuffi cient information. Nevertheless, Sect. 2.7.1 on “LCA in
policies” illustrates the situation in Thailand, China, Brazil and Mexico.
2.2 Capacity-Building for Life Cycle Sustainability
Management
Capacity-building for LCSM means a process of building (i) capabilities to use the
range of LCSM topics (see Fig. 19.2 ), (ii) relationships among key stakeholders
and users and (iii) awareness-raising on the importance of a holistic life cycle
perspective covering social, economic and environmental aspects in decision-making.
Training is just one element of the capacity-building process, which usually focuses
on providing skills for a specifi c problem (e.g. by learning how to generate LC data
or to use LCA software).
However, as can be seen from the example India, it does not make sense to
provide technical training if the managers are not convinced that LCSM is the way
to tackle sustainable development challenges in organizations. Therefore, a package
of training courses is needed, including LCM CMM and technical assistance for its
implementation in developing countries, as done between 2012 and 2013 (Swarr
et al. 2015a , b ).
The parameters analyzed in 18 countries show that multiple training activities on
both LCA and LCM, so in Thailand and Brazil, found a critical mass of experts to
contribute to mainstreaming LCSM. A critical mass is developing, due to emerging
efforts, in South Africa, Turkey, the other Latin American countries analyzed and
the Asian countries except Indonesia and the Philippines. In the two latter countries,
the level of LCA training activities is at a very early stage.
In Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and Saudi
Arabia, the offer of LCA and LCM training activities does not exist or is very limited.
Consequently, mainstreaming LCSM cannot be envisaged in the short term, and the
international community is asked for support in form of basic training activities.
2.3 LCA Studies and LCA Databases
The existence of LCA studies indicates the availability of local resources in terms
of life cycle experts and tools and minimum funding to cover the costs of performing
these studies. Subsequently, it also indicates the availability of some local foreground
data, which can feed a national LCA database, so in China, Mexico, Malaysia and
Thailand.
S. Valdivia et al.