RIT Symposium Conclusions
May 28, 2008 by Brian Butler | Filed under: 1-Life-Cycle-Analysis (LCA), Overview
At the conclusion of this workshop, there was a general feeling that environmental managers must be aware of several key issues with regard to Life Cycle Analysis; these were: exactly what LCA tools are available, how these tools can be applied, how to guide others with regard to the application of these tools, and how to communicate the results of the LCA.
Additionally, environmental managers should have input on the development of LCA models and their input could be of particular value in multiple ways such as in deciding how to bound the analysis, in determining what type of data can be made available and how the data will be integrated into the model.
This workshop revealed that there seemed to be broad consensus that LCA tools can generate information that help inform the sorts of decisions faced by environmental managers; however, the tools are so dependent upon the assumptions invoked by the analyst that extrapolation and dissemination of LCA results is very risky and should be avoided. It is interesting that the recommendation is to not extrapolate or disseminate. Dissemination would open the finding up to review and generally the same kind of rigorous re-examination typical to scientific method. If the results are so dependent on the assumptions of the analyst, how will the assumptions be tested?
Also the question was asked if there are any LCA models or modules that can be added to existing LCA models that would incorporate social responsibility or elements of sustainability. No one was aware that any such models or modules existed.
