Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Supply Chains
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Environmental Sustainability Analytics course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
**Acid Rain #
** A type of precipitation with pH levels below 5.6, caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react with the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. Acid rain can have harmful effects on the environment, including damage to forests, crops, and aquatic ecosystems.
**Carbon Footprint #
** The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product, service, or organization, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). It includes direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the entity, as well as indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, or steam.
**Circular Economy #
** An economic system that is restorative and regenerative by design, aiming to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, minimizing waste and making the most of resources.
**Climate Change #
** A long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns, mostly caused by human activities that increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Climate change can have various negative impacts on the environment, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.
**Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) #
** A self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing CSR, companies can be more conscious of their impact on the environment, communities, and consumers.
**Cradle to Cradle Design #
** A design approach that aims to create products and systems that can be fully recycled or composted, without generating waste or harming the environment. It considers the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, and seeks to minimize environmental impacts and resource consumption.
**Decoupling #
** The process of reducing the negative environmental impacts of economic growth, while maintaining or increasing the economic output. Decoupling can be relative (slowing down the rate of environmental degradation) or absolute (reducing the absolute amount of environmental impact).
**Eco #
Design:** A design approach that considers the environmental impacts of a product or system throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Eco-design aims to minimize environmental impacts, optimize resource use, and promote sustainability.
**Eco #
Efficiency:** A concept that refers to doing more with less, by reducing the amount of resources and energy used to produce goods and services, while minimizing waste and environmental impact.
**Eco #
Innovation:** The development of new products, processes, or services that provide significant environmental benefits, either by reducing environmental impact, improving eco-efficiency, or promoting sustainable development.
**Electric Vehicles (EVs) #
** Vehicles that use one or more electric motors for propulsion, powered by rechargeable battery packs or other energy storage systems. EVs can produce zero tailpipe emissions, and have lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional vehicles, especially when powered by renewable energy sources.
**Energy Management Systems (EnMS) #
** A systematic approach to managing energy use, including energy efficiency, conservation, and consumption, with the goal of reducing environmental impact, improving operational efficiency, and achieving cost savings.
**Environmental Management Systems (EMS) #
** A framework that helps organizations manage their environmental impacts in a systematic and comprehensive manner, by setting objectives, implementing policies and practices, monitoring performance, and continuously improving.
**Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) #
** A standardized and verified document that provides transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of a product or service, based on a life cycle assessment (LCA).
**Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) #
** Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The main GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
**Green Procurement #
** The practice of selecting products and services based on their environmental performance, with the goal of reducing the overall environmental impact of an organization or project.
**Industrial Symbiosis #
** A system of collaboration between different industrial facilities, where the waste or by-products of one facility become the input or resource for another, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and optimizes resource use.
**Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) #
** A framework for managing industrial emissions and waste, based on the principles of best available techniques (BAT), best environmental practice (BEP), and risk assessment.
**Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) #
** A systematic and comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of a product or service, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. LCA considers all stages of the life cycle, including material and energy inputs, emissions, and waste, and provides a holistic view of the environmental performance of a product or service.
**Life Cycle Costing (LCC) #
** A method for evaluating the total cost of ownership of a product or service, including all direct and indirect costs associated with its life cycle, such as acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal.
**Natural Capital #
** The stock of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water, and living organisms, that provide ecosystem services and contribute to human well-being and economic activity.
**OH&S Management Systems #
** A framework for managing occupational health and safety risks and improving performance, based on the principles of hazard identification, risk assessment, and control, and continuous improvement.
**Organic Farming #
** A method of farming that avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms, and relies on natural processes and inputs, such as compost, crop rotation, and biological pest control, to maintain soil fertility and productivity, and promote biodiversity.
**Product Carbon Footprint #
** The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
**Product Stewardship #
** The practice of managing the environmental and social impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from design and manufacturing to use and disposal, with the goal of minimizing waste, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainability.
**Renewable Energy #
** Energy derived from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass, and that do not contribute to climate change or deplete non-renewable resources.
**Remanufacturing #
** The process of restoring a product to like-new condition, by disassembling it, cleaning and inspecting its components, replacing worn or damaged parts, and reassembling it, often with improved performance or functionality, and a warranty similar to that of a new product.
**Responsible Care #
** A voluntary initiative by the chemical industry to improve its environmental, health, and safety performance, and promote sustainable development, based on a set of guiding principles, codes of practice, and performance metrics.
**Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions #
** The three categories of greenhouse gas emissions defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a standardized framework for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the entity, such as fuel combustion, fugitive emissions, and industrial processes. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, or steam. Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions from upstream and downstream activities in the value chain, such as raw material extraction, transportation, waste disposal, and use of sold products.
**Service Life Planning #
** The process of designing products and systems to have a longer service life, through improved durability, reliability, maintainability, and upgradability, with the goal of reducing waste, resource consumption, and environmental impact.
**Sustainable Development #
** A development approach that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives, and promoting sustainable use of resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
**Sustainable Procurement #
** The practice of selecting products and services based on their sustainability performance, with the goal of promoting environmental, social, and economic benefits, reducing risks, and enhancing reputation and competitiveness.
**Sustainable Supply Chains #
** Supply chains that are designed and managed to minimize environmental and social impacts, promote resource efficiency and circularity, ensure compliance with regulations and standards, and create value for all stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and communities.
**Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) #
** The sum of all direct and indirect costs associated with a product or service, including acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal, over its entire life cycle, used to evaluate the economic and environmental performance of different options and make informed decisions