Sustainability is a complex, multi-faceted concept. At the most basic level, Sustainability is a property of a system that balances 3 pillars: economy, society, and environment (these are often known as the “pillars of sustainability”).
Methodologies based on the concept of life-cycle thinking are widely considered the most appropriate tools to quantify the performance of products or organisations in terms of sustainability or each of its pillars. Life cycle thinking implies a holistic view that spans across the full life cycle of products or organisations, from the extraction of materials to the disposal of waste (“cradle to grave”).
Life-cycle based methodologies enable performing the performance of products/organisations as well as identifying key aspects for improvement or improving the brand. We are experts in the application of life-cycle-based methodologies:
- Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA): the most comprehensive evaluation of the sustainability performance that combines LCA, S-LCA, and LCC
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A systematic and holistic methodology for assessing the environmental impacts of products (goods and services) and technologies, which is applied according to the requirements of ISO 14040 and 14044
- Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA): A novel methodology for assessing the socio-economic impacts of products and organisations, applied in line with the latest guidelines from the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative
- Life Cycle Costing (LCC): A systematic methodology to quantify the total costs of products (including externalities) incurred over their life cycle
Footprints are streamlined life-cycle methodologies focused on a specific environmental issue:
- Carbon Footprint: Evaluation of the impact of greenhouse gas emissions of products and organisations, applied according to the requirements of ISO 14064 and 14067, PAS 2050/2060, or GHG protocol
- Water Footprint: Evaluation of the impact of water consumption of products and organisations, applied according to the requirements of ISO 14046