Life Cycle Assessment and Scenario Analysis

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this review article is to understand the current status of the development of scenario analysis methodologies applying LCA, and scenario-based LCA.

Results and Discussion. Scenario analysis is increasingly utilized in LCA related studies. This echoes need of introducing life cycle thinking in a wider dimension of decisions that require participation of multiple stakeholders. Scenario analysis naturally deals with future situations, and introduces time dimensions in the analysis. Thus, both inventory and impact assessment stages require enhancements. In this article, the status quo of such discussions is reviewed. In addition, use of life cycle thinking to generate scenarios in scenario analyses for technology innovation is introduced to demonstrate the wider potential of LCA in non-LCA studies.

Conclusions. The review shows several new directions in the research needs in the field of Scenario-based Life Cycle Assessment.