Introduction
In today’s evolving world, sustainability has become a key focus for all businesses. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a tool for evaluating the impact of products. As the demand for more sustainable products grows, so does the need for timely and accurate LCAs. In this technological era, digital solutions are proving to be the way forward. Offering unparalleled benefits that traditional methods struggle to match.
1. Real-Time Data Accessibility
One advantage of digital platforms for LCAs is the access to real-time data. Traditional methods often rely on static datasets. These may not represent the current state of the environment or supply chain. Digital platforms can integrate with live databases. Thus ensuring that the most up-to-date information is used. This real-time accessibility improves the accuracy and reliability of the assessment. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of a product’s environmental footprint.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Traditional LCA calculations often involve complex and time-consuming processes. Digital platforms offer scalability and flexibility that can significantly streamline these calculations. Automation features and advanced algorithms enable the handling of large datasets. This allows organisations to conduct LCAs on a broader scale. Digital solutions can calculate full product portfolios without compromising accuracy.
3. Improved Visualisation and Communication
Digital platforms can transform complex LCA reports into easily understandable visualisations. The data can also be personalised for each stakeholder across the business. This helps many stakeholders understand the information in a more concise manner. As the data is more understandable, it drives greater analysis and decision making. The increased transparency through visualisation of the results increases understanding of sustainability efforts.
4. Automated Missing Data Filling
Conventional methods rely on the customer and it’s suppliers to input all the data. With the average completion rate of supplier surveys being less than 10% there are many data gaps. Digital platforms, enhanced with AI, leverage automated algorithms to impute missing data. They often use and machine learning models that learn from historical datasets. The continuous learning and adaptability of AI algorithms ensure improved accuracy over time. Thus reducing the reliance on expert consultation. Integration with external databases allows for cross-referencing and supplementation of missing information. The scalability and speed of automated processing enables simultaneous assessments of many products.
5. Cost Effectiveness
AI technology solutions have proven to be more cost-effective than a consultant-based approach. By automating data analysis and interpretation, they save significant time and increase efficiency. These processes would traditionally need extensive manual effort. The continuous learning capabilities of AI reduce the need for recurring expert consultations. Thus minimising associated labour costs. Moreover, the automated nature of AI-driven solutions reduces the risk of human error.
Conclusion:
LCA calculations are a key step as we navigate the complexity of sustainable consumption. Digital platforms offer real-time data accessibility, scalability, improved visualisation, and integration capabilities. Embracing the power of digital platforms in LCA calculations is now a necessity for businesses.
Looking for a digital LCA platform enhanced with AI? CarbonBright can help. Book a demo today.
