A Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) is an important phase in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and is used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. LCIA methods provide a consistent way to assess these impacts across different environmental categories. This helps organizations, policymakers, and researchers make informed and impactful decisions to optimize processes and reduce environmental footprints. An example output of the LCIA phase is the carbon footprint of a product, calculated using input data from the LCI phase on materials, energy use, and emissions throughout the product’s life cycle.
What Are LCIA Methods?
LCIA methods are scientifically developed frameworks that turn LCA data into meaningful environmental impact indicators. These methods assess how sources of emissions and resource extractions impact the environment like climate change, human toxicity, and resource depletion. The well-known International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has two standards related to LCAs. ISO 14040 describes the principles and framework for conducting LCAs. ISO 14044 provides the requirements and guidelines for performing an LCA. While these are not methods, they play an integral role as international standards to define the principles, framework, and requirements for conducting LCAs.
An LCIA method follows a specific approach to model environmental impacts and may focus on a variety of environmental categories. Some methods use endpoint indicators which assess the final damage to human health, ecosystems, or resource availability. Others use midpoint indicators which evaluate environmental impact based on changes in the natural environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change. Some methods integrate both approaches to provide a more holistic assessment of environmental impact.
Commonly Used LCIA Methods and Their Impact Categories
Several LCIA methods exist and each focus on different environmental concerns with a variety of strategies. Below are some of the widely used LCIA methods:
1. ReCiPe
ReCiPe was developed in 2008 by RIVM, CML, PRé Consultants, and the Radboud University Nijmegen on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. This method contains 17 midpoint indicators and 3 endpoint indicators. The ability to assess both midpoint and endpoint indicators makes ReCiPe an appealing method.
Midpoint indicators: Particulate matter, tropospheric ozone formation, ionizing radiation, stratosphere ozone depletion, human toxicity (cancer), human toxicity (non-cancer), global warming, water use, freshwater ecotoxicity, freshwater eutrophication, troposphere ozone (eco) terrestrial ecotoxicity, terrestrial acidification, land use/transformation, marine ecotoxicity, mineral resources, fossil resources
Endpoint indicators: Damage to human health, damage to ecosystems, and damage to resource availability
ReCiPe is particularly valuable for comprehensive environmental assessments. It allows users to choose between midpoint and endpoint perspectives depending on their goals. European and global sustainability studies commonly use ReCiPe.
2. EF 3.1 (Environmental Footprint 3.1) Method
The European Commission developed the Environmental Footprint 3.1 (EF 3.1) method as part of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organization Environmental Footprint (OEF) initiatives. It aims to provide a harmonized framework for measuring environmental impacts within the EU.
Impact categories: Climate Change; ozone depletion; human toxicity, cancer effects; human toxicity, non-cancer effects; particulate matter; ionising radiation; photochemical ozone formation; acidification; eutrophication, terrestrial; eutrophication, freshwater; eutrophication, marine; ecotoxicity, freshwater; land use; water use; resource use, fossils; resource use, minerals and metals
EU-based environmental assessments and regulatory compliance widely uses EF 3.1. It supports standardization across industries, ensuring consistency in sustainability reporting and reducing discrepancies between different methodologies.
3. TRACI (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed TRACI for regional U.S. impact assessments. The EPA designed TRACI to reflect environmental concerns specific to North America.
Impact categories: Climate change, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, smog formation, human health impacts (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic), ecotoxicity
North America uses TRACI for regulatory compliance, sustainability reporting, and environmental footprint assessments.
4. CML (Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden) Baseline Method
Leiden University developed the midpoint-focused CML method. It emphasizes single-point environmental indicators to provide a focused approach to impact assessment.
Impact categories: Global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, human toxicity potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, ozone layer depletion potential, primary energy, terrestrial ecotoxicity potential, marine ecotoxicity potential
Academic research and industrial applications commonly use CML where a midpoint approach provides clarity in understanding environmental interventions.
5. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC is a body of the United Nations (UN) that provides scientifically based Assessment Reports (ARs) on impacts of climate change and solutions for adaptation and mitigation. Unlike some of the other methodologies that contain multiple impact indicators, IPCC 2021 uses Global Warming Potential (GWP). Using GWP creates a standardized approach for understanding the impact of a product to climate change.
Impact categories: GWP100: Aircraft, biogenic, fossil, land use, and total; GWP20: aircraft, biogenic, fossil, land use, and total; GWP500: aircraft, biogenic, fossil, land use, and total; Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs)
IPCC allows companies to look at different time horizons and SLCFs, making it one of the most common methodologies for understanding climate impacts.
Choosing the Right LCIA Method
Selecting an LCIA method depends on several factors, including the goal of the LCA, geographical relevance, industry standards, data availability, and regulatory requirements. Below are key considerations:
Objective of the Study: Some studies require detailed midpoint assessments, while others focus on endpoint damage analysis. ReCiPe offers both approaches, while CML focuses on midpoint indicators. IPCC focuses on climate change impacts, providing more detailed impact indicators.
Regulatory and Regional Requirements: ReCiPe and EF 3.1 are widely accepted methods in Europe, while TRACI is specifically tailored for North America.
Industry and Sector-Specific Needs: Certain industries, such as construction or energy, may have preferred LCIA methods to comply with standards like ISO 14040 and 14044.
Data Availability and Consistency: Availability of high-quality inventory data is essential. Some methods require extensive datasets that may not always be accessible.
Stakeholder and Market Expectations: Some industries or clients may have specific LCIA method preferences to align with their sustainability goals and reporting standards.
| Method | Type | Impact Categories | Region |
| ReCiPe | Midpoint & Endpoint | Climate change, particulate matter, ionizing radiation, human toxicity (cancer & non-cancer), water use, land use, mineral & fossil resource depletion | Global |
| EF 3.1 (Environmental Footprint 3.1) | Midpoint | Climate change, ozone depletion, human toxicity (cancer & non-cancer), particulate matter, acidification, eutrophication (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), land use, resource use (fossil, minerals, metals) | EU |
| TRACI | Midpoint | Climate change, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, smog formation, human health (carcinogenic & non-carcinogenic), ecotoxicity | North America |
| CML Baseline Method | Midpoint | Global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, photochemical ozone creation, ozone depletion, terrestrial & marine ecotoxicity | Global |
| IPCC | Single Indicator | Global Warming Potential (GWP 100, GWP20, GWP500) and Short-Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs) | Global |
Key Takeaways
LCIA methods are essential tools for assessing and reducing environmental impacts. By understanding the strengths, limitations, and focus areas of each method, businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders can make informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals. LCIA methods will continue to change with environmental challenges to ensure they are providing relevant results with accuracy in LCAs.
Selecting the best LCIA method for your organization is a crucial step toward conducting accurate environmental impact assessments. Organizations that integrate LCIA methodology into their operations can enhance regulatory compliance, improve stakeholder transparency, and drive sustainable innovation. This positions them as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.
Next Steps: Measuring Impact
CarbonBright’s AI-powered LCA software helps organizations accurately measure emissions and meet regulatory standards—at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. Contact us to get started!
