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LCA Reference

Free reference guide: LCA Reference

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About LCA Reference

The LCA Reference is a searchable quick-reference guide for Life Cycle Assessment covering the ISO 14040/14044 four-phase framework (Goal & Scope, LCI, LCIA, Interpretation), functional units, system boundaries (Cradle-to-Grave, Cradle-to-Gate, Gate-to-Gate), allocation methods, and sensitivity/uncertainty analysis. It provides concise definitions and practical examples for each LCA concept.

The reference includes major LCI databases (ecoinvent with 18,000+ datasets, GaBi/Sphera, US LCI/NREL), LCIA methodologies at midpoint and endpoint levels (ReCiPe 2016, CML, TRACI, Eco-indicator 99), and all key impact categories: GWP (kg CO2-eq), AP (kg SO2-eq), EP (kg PO4-eq), ODP (kg CFC-11-eq), ADP, POCP, and Water Footprint with AWARE weighting factors. Characterization factors from IPCC AR6 are included for greenhouse gases.

LCA software tools are also covered, including openLCA (free, open-source), SimaPro, GaBi (Sphera), and the Python-based Brightway2 framework. Additionally, the reference explains EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) per ISO 14025 and Carbon Footprint (CFP) per ISO 14067 and GHG Protocol Scope 1/2/3. All lookups run locally in your browser with no data sent to any server.

Key Features

  • Complete ISO 14040/14044 four-phase LCA framework with functional unit and system boundary definitions
  • LCI data collection methods including allocation (system expansion, physical, economic) per ISO 14044 priority
  • Major LCI databases: ecoinvent 18,000+ datasets, GaBi/Sphera industrial data, US LCI (NREL, free)
  • LCIA methodologies at midpoint and endpoint levels: ReCiPe 2016, CML, TRACI, Eco-indicator 99
  • All key impact categories with characterization factors: GWP, AP, EP, ODP, ADP, POCP, Water Footprint (AWARE)
  • LCA software reference: openLCA (open-source), SimaPro, GaBi, Brightway2 Python framework with code examples
  • EPD (ISO 14025), Carbon Footprint (ISO 14067), GHG Protocol Scope 1/2/3, and PAS 2050 explained
  • 100% browser-based with dark mode and category filtering — no account, no download, completely free

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four phases of Life Cycle Assessment (ISO 14040)?

ISO 14040 defines four LCA phases: 1) Goal & Scope Definition -- setting the functional unit, system boundary, and purpose. 2) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) -- collecting input/output data (raw materials, energy, emissions) for each unit process. 3) Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) -- translating LCI data into environmental impact categories (GWP, AP, EP, etc.) using characterization factors. 4) Interpretation -- analyzing results, performing sensitivity/uncertainty analysis, and drawing conclusions. The process is iterative.

What is a functional unit in LCA and why does it matter?

A functional unit is the quantitative measure of the function a product system delivers, used as the reference basis for comparison. Examples: 1 kWh of electricity, 1 kg of steel, 1 person-km of transportation, or 100 lumens of lighting for 50,000 hours. Without a clearly defined functional unit, LCA results cannot be meaningfully compared between different products or systems delivering the same function.

What is the difference between ReCiPe midpoint and endpoint LCIA?

ReCiPe 2016 operates at two levels. Midpoint has 18 impact categories (GWP, ODP, AP, EP, POCP, etc.) with lower uncertainty but harder interpretation. Endpoint aggregates into three damage areas -- Human Health (DALY), Ecosystems (species.yr), and Resources (USD) -- making results easier to interpret but with higher uncertainty. Three cultural perspectives are available: Hierarchist (H, default), Individualist (I), and Egalitarian (E), each reflecting different time horizons and weighting assumptions.

What GWP characterization factors does IPCC AR6 use?

The IPCC AR6 GWP100 characterization factors express greenhouse gas impact in kg CO2-equivalent: CO2 = 1 (reference), CH4 (methane) = 27.9, N2O (nitrous oxide) = 273, SF6 = 25,200, HFC-134a = 1,530. GWP can be calculated over different time horizons (GWP20, GWP100, GWP500). GWP100 is the most commonly used in LCA and regulatory contexts. These factors are used in the climate change impact category across all major LCIA methods.

What is ecoinvent and how is it used in LCA?

ecoinvent is the most widely used LCI database, maintained by the ecoinvent Centre in Switzerland. It contains 18,000+ datasets covering all industrial sectors with regional data (RoW, GLO, CH, etc.). It offers two system models: Allocation (attributional, APOS) and Consequential. ecoinvent is paid but offers academic discounts. It integrates with all major LCA software: openLCA, SimaPro, GaBi. The latest version is v3.10 (2023).

Which LCA software should I use -- openLCA, SimaPro, or GaBi?

openLCA is free and open-source, compatible with ecoinvent and GaBi databases, includes ReCiPe/CML/TRACI methods, supports Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, and offers Python scripting. SimaPro is the most widely used commercial tool with strong database integration and academic licenses. GaBi (now Sphera) excels in automotive and electronics industries with its proprietary database and DfX features. For Python-based workflows, Brightway2 is a powerful programmatic LCA framework.

What is the difference between EPD and Carbon Footprint?

An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration, ISO 14025) is a third-party verified, LCA-based report covering multiple environmental impact categories (GWP, AP, EP, ODP, etc.) following Product Category Rules (PCR). A Carbon Footprint (ISO 14067) focuses specifically on greenhouse gas emissions expressed in kg CO2-eq, covering Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect, electricity), and Scope 3 (value chain). PAS 2050 (BSI) is an earlier carbon footprint standard. EPD is broader; CFP is GHG-specific.

Is this LCA reference free to use?

Yes, the LCA Reference is completely free with no usage limits, no account registration, and no software download required. All lookups run locally in your browser, so no data is ever transmitted to any server. It is part of liminfo.com's collection of free online engineering and environmental science tools.