We’re pleased to now formally offer LCAs as a service to our clients.
LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments or Lifecycle Carbon Assessments) are related to specific products, and are a statement of all the carbon emissions resulting from every stage of that product’s manufacture, including all the raw materials that go into it, their processing and transport, and even onward distribution and use.
For example, for a product made of fiberglass, that would encompass all the carbon involved in producing the polyester resins, raw fiberglass matting and all the various fillers as well as the energy used in the factory. For a complex food product, it would include the growing of the based food products, plus any chemical additives.
LCAs can vary in scope. ‘Cradle to Gate’ for example would refer to all emissions up to the point a product leaves the factory. ‘Cradle to Grave’ covers the above, plus onward transport, energy-in-use and end-of-life disposal.
Product LCAs are becoming widespread in the construction industry. For products used within major London construction projects, they’re mandatory. They look likely to be mandated in the proposed Part Z of the Building Regulations.
For exporters of certain products into the EU, an LCA will meet the requirements of the Carbon Borders Adjustment Mechanism.
For the UKs larger companies which fall within the SECR Framework, LCAs can assist in their Scope 3 reporting, and certainly, to trade with the larger plcs, product LCAs are becoming an essential ‘ticket-to-trade’.
Even if LCAs are not mandated, they can be a very useful means of demonstrating a products sustainability, when compared to competing products which don’t carry an LCA. They are a market differentiator, something that the sales team can use as a marketing tool.
An LCA is a highly insightful way of understanding the carbon impacts of a product. It shows very clearly where the greatest climate impacts lie in in all stages production, and thus where to focus mitigation measures.
I you need a product LCA, or want to understand them better, please do get in touch.