Comprehensive Guide to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life cycle assessment (LCA) software can drive product innovation and growth. Explore how LCA tools help teams reduce footprint and increase market value.

PUBLISHED: 9 June 2025

Table of contents

Understanding Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life—from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal. By analysing inputs (like energy and materials) and outputs (such as emissions and waste), LCA provides a holistic view of a product’s environmental footprint.

Unlike assessments focusing solely on carbon emissions, LCA encompasses a range of environmental indicators, including water usage, resource depletion, and toxicity. This comprehensive approach helps businesses avoid “carbon tunnel vision” and make more informed sustainability decisions.

The Importance of LCA in Sustainability

Addressing Scope 3 Emissions

While many companies track direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions, a significant portion of a product’s environmental impact often lies in Scope 3 emissions—those occurring across the value chain. LCA is instrumental in identifying and quantifying these emissions, enabling businesses to develop effective reduction strat

Addressing Scope 3 Emissions

With increasing regulations like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Green Claims Directive, companies must provide transparent and accurate environmental data. LCA offers the detailed insights necessary to meet these compliance standards and avoid potential penalties.

Learn more: https://root-sustainability.com/blogs/ecodesign-explained 

Key LCA Terminology Explained

Functional Unit: A quantified description of the performance of a product system, serving as a reference for all calculations.

Types of Life Cycle Assessments

 

Cradle-to-Grave: Covers the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to disposal.

Cradle-to-Gate: Focuses on processes from raw material extraction to the factory gate, excluding the use and disposal phases.

Gate-to-Gate: Examines a single value-added process in the production chain.

Cradle-to-Cradle: Emphasises recycling and reuse, aiming for a closed-loop system.

Conducting an LCA: Step-by-Step

  1. Goal and Scope Definition: Establish the purpose, system boundaries, and functional unit.

  2. Inventory Analysis: Collect data on energy, material inputs, and environmental releases.

  3. Impact Assessment: Evaluate the potential environmental impacts using LCIA methodologies.

  4. Interpretation: Analyse results to make informed decisions and identify improvement opportunities

Challenges of Traditional LCA and the Role of Automation

Traditional LCA processes can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, often requiring specialised expertise. Automated LCA platforms, like Root Sustainability’s solution, streamline data collection and analysis, making it feasible to assess large product portfolios efficiently. These tools also facilitate scenario modelling, allowing businesses to explore the environmental implications of different design and sourcing choices. 

Learn more: https://root-sustainability.com/blogs/iso-14040-and-14044-standards

Root Sustainability's Approach to LCA

Root Sustainability combines the Life Cycle Assessment methodology with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol to provide accurate and comprehensive environmental insights. By leveraging advanced algorithms and extensive databases, Root’s platform delivers rapid, scalable assessments, enabling companies to:

  • Validate sustainability claims with credible data.

  • Inform product design and sourcing decisions.

  • Ensure compliance with evolving environmental regulations.

  • Identify and mitigate environmental hotspots across the supply chain.

Getting Started with LCA

Embarking on an LCA journey involves:

  • Defining clear objectives and scope.

  • Gathering relevant data across the product’s life cycle.

  • Utilising tools and platforms that align with your company’s needs and capabilities

By integrating LCA into your sustainability strategy, your business can make data-driven decisions that reduce environmental impact and enhance overall performance. 

–

For a more detailed exploration of Life Cycle Assessment and how it can benefit your organisation, visit Root Sustainability’s Complete Guide to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).