Abstract
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) frequently do not contribute to sustainable development because product alternatives with a truly low environmental burden are not included in the assessment. As a result, environmentally-friendly alternatives are not uncovered, although much effort has been put into collecting inventory data and making an impact assessment. Part of this problem is caused by the defensive use of LCAs. Companies eager to show that their product is not too bad for the environment prefer to compare their product with alternatives that are not very promising in an environmental sense. To (mis)use LCAs in this way is quite easy, because the LCA methodology and handbooks provide few guidelines and little advice on how to generate and select adequate alternatives. An analysis of the problems related to the alternatives is given using insights drawn from the field of policy analysis — a field in which methodological rules for the generation of alternatives in policy studies have been developed — ecodesign and the LCA discipline, and measures to reduce the problems are developed. Explicating the different steps in the determination of alternatives in the goal and scope formulation stage of an LCA process, and the development of a toolbox for this activity, would certainly improve the quality of the selection of alternatives. Furthermore, involving stakeholders and a group of experts in the generation and selection process will increase the variety and relevance of alternatives, and the social support for alternatives.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baere de V, Huybregts D, Wouters G (1994): Milieubalans van kortcy-clische PVC-verpakkingen. Eindrapport: tekst, Mol: VITO
Bras-Klapwijk RM (1999): Adjusting Life Cycle Assessment Methodology for Use in Public Policy Discourse. PhD Thesis Delft University of Technology, Veenendaal: Universal Press
Bras-Klapwijk RM, Knot JMC (2001): Strategic Environmental Assessment for Sustainable Households in 2050: Illustrated for Clothing. Sustainable Development, pp 109-118
Bras-Klapwijk RM, Knot JMC, Quist J, Vergragt Ph (forthcoming): Design Orienting Scenarios: Technological and behavioral changes combined. In: Verbeek PP, Slob A: Technology and Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Dordrecht: Kluwer (forthcoming)
Brezet J, van Hemel CG (1997): UNEP Ecodesign Manual, Ecodesign: A promising approach to sustainable production and consumption, UNEP
Cramer J, Zegsveld WCL (1991): The future of technology in environmental management. Futures, June 1991
DTO (Interdepartmental Research Programme Sustainable Technological Development) (1997a): STD Vision 2040-1998; Technology, Key to Sustainable Prosperity, Den Haag: Ten Hagen & Stam
DTO (Interdepartmental Research Programme Sustainable Technological Development) (1997b): DTO Sleutel Water; Modellen van een Duurzame Waterketen, Den Haag: Ten Hagen & Stam
Findeisen W, Quade ES (1985): The Methodology of Systems Analysis: An Introduction and Overview. In: Miser HJ, Quade ES (eds), Handbook of Systems Analysis. Overview of Uses, Procedures, Applications and Practice. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons
Graedel TE (2000): A Structured Approach to LCA Improvement AnalysisJournal of Industrial Ecology (2&3): 85–93
Graedel TE (1998): Streamlined Lifecycle Assessment, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
Guinee JB (ed) (2001): Life Cycle Assessment, An Operational Guide to the ISO Standards. Vol. 2A, January 2001
Heijungs R et al. (1992): Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Products. Reports 9266 and 9267, Utrecht, The Netherlands: Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment
ISO 14041 (1998): Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Goal and Scope definition and inventory analysis, first edition
ISO 14040 (1997): Environmental mangement — Life cycle assessment — Principles and Framework
Van Heel HP, Jansen JLA (1999): Duurzaam. Zo gezegd, zo gedaan. Farewell speech, TU Delft
Quist J, Knot M, Young W, Green K, Vergragt Ph (2001): Strategies towards sustainable households using stakeholder workshops and scenarios. International Journal of Sustainable Development: 4 (1): 75–89
Tischner U (2001): Tools for Ecodesign and Sustainable Product Design. In: Charter M, Tischner U, Sustainable Solutions. Developing Products and Services for the Future, Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing
VNCI (1991): Integrated Substance Chain Management. Leidschendam: VNCI
Walker WE (1988): Generating and Screening Alternatives. In: Miser HJ, Quade ES (eds), Handbook of Systems Analysis. Craft Issues and Procedural Choices. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons
Weaver P, Jansen L, van Grootveld G, van Spiegel E, Vergragt Ph (2000): Sustainable Technology Development. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing Limited
Weidema BP, Wenzel H, Petersen C, Hansen K (2001): LCA guideline No. 2, The product, functional unit and reference flows in LCA. Final draft, Danish EPA
Weizsäcker E von, Lovins AB, Lovins HL (1997): Factor Four. Doubling wealth — Halving resource use. The new report to the Club of Rome. Earthscan, London
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bras-Klapwijk, R.M. Procedures and tools for generating and selecting alternatives in LCA. Int J LCA 8, 266–272 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978918
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978918