Life Cycle Assessment: Theory and Practice

This book is a uniquely pedagogical while still comprehensive state-of-the-art description of LCA-methodology and its broad range of applications. The five parts of the book conveniently provide: I) the history and context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with its central role as quantitative and scientifically-based tool supporting society's transitioning towards a sustainable economy II) all there is to know about LCA methodology illustrated by a red-thread example which evolves as the reader advances III) a wealth of information on a broad range of LCA applications with dedicated chapters o n policy development prospective LCA life cycle management waste energy construction and building nanotechnology agrifood transport and LCA-related concepts such as footprinting ecolabelling design for environment and cradle to cradle. IV) A cookbook giving the reader recipes for all the concrete actions needed to perform an LCA. V) An appendix with an LCA report template a full example LCA report serving as inspiration for students who write their first LCA report and a more detailed overview of existing LCIA methods and their similarities and differences.