Abstract
The Eco-Indicator 98 project aims at a complete revision of the Eco-Indicator 95 methodology. Like its predecessor, the target is to develop single scores for designers. The method now includes resources and land use. Important improvements are: the use of fate analysis, the much better definition of the damage categories concerned with human health and ecosystem health, using the PAF (Potentially Affected Fraction) and DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years) concept, and a completely new approach to modelling resources and land use. Perhaps the most fundamental improvement is the management system for value choices. The result of this management system is that there will be three instead of one indicator. Each version is based on a different cultural perspective. The method should be updated continuously. It is proposed to set up an independent organisation to guide this future development.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Braunschweig, A;Förster, R;Hofstetter, P;Müller-Wenk, R. (1996): Developments in LCA Valuation. IWOE Diskussions-beitrag Nr. 32, St. Gallen
Brunner, St. (1998): Panel Methods and their Application for Weighting in LCA. UNS Working Paper for the Project Environmental Prioritising within the Framework of the Swiss Priority Programme Environment; ETH Zurich
Chapman, P.F.;Roberts, F. (1983): Metal Resources and Energy. Butterworths Monographs in Materials
Cambell, C.J.;Laherrère, J.H. (1998): The End of Cheap Oil. Scientific American, March 1998, pp 60–65
Deffeyes, K. (1964): Uranium Distribution in Mined Deposits and in the Earth Crust. Department of Energy, Grand Junction Colorado; see also Scientific American 242, 1980, p 50
EUSES (1996):Jager, D.T. et al.: EUSES the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances. National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands; Available from the European Chemicals Bureau (EC/JRC), Ispra, Italy
ExternE (1997): Core project. Extension of the Accounting Framework; Final Report, Compiled byMayerhover, P.;Krewitt, W.;Friedrich, R. The European Commission, Contract JOS3-CT95-0002 Stuttgart (available on www.ExternE.jrc.sp)
Frischknecht, R. (1998): Life Cycle Inventory Analysis for Decision Making. Dissertation ETH Nr. 12599, ISBN 3-9520661-3-3, ETH Zurich
Goedkoop, M.J. (1995): De Eco-Indicator 95. Final report; NOH report 9523; PRé Consultants; Amersfoort (NL); ISBN 90-72130-77-4
Gomez, J.D. (1998): Approach for the Use of the Eco-Indicator 98 Concept in Latin America. MSc Thesis; IHE; Delft
Guinée, J. et al. (1996): LCA Impact Assessment of Toxic Releases. Product Policy Report 1996/21, Ministry of Environment (VROM), The Hague
Hofstetter, P. (1998): Perspectives in Life Cycle Impact Assessment; A Structured Approach to Combine Models of the Technosphere, Ecosphere and Valuesphere., Kluwers Academic Publishers, 1998, Info: www.wkap.nl/book.htm/07923-8377-XKortman, J.G.M.;Lindeijer, E.W.;Sas, H.;Sprengers, M. (1994): Towards a Single Indicator for Emissions. IDES (IVAM-er) Amsterdam
Köllner, T. (1998): Life-Cycle Impact Assessment for Land Use. Effect Assessment Taking the Attribute Biodiversity into Account. IWÖ Discussion Paper, unpublished first draft, 29.8.98, University St. Gallen
Meent, D.;Klepper, O. (1997): Mapping the Potential Affected Fraction (PAF) of Species as an Indicator of Generic Toxic Stress. RIVM report 607504001, June 1997; RIVM. Bilthoven
Müller-Wenk, R. (1996): Damage Categories and Damage Functions as Core Elements of Life-Cycle Impact Assessment. IWOE Diskussionsbeitrag. 36 (Draft version 29.10.1996, Universität St. Gallen
Müller-Wenk, R. (1998-1): Depletion of Abiotic Resources Weighted on the Base of “Virtual” Impacts of Lower Grade Deposits in Future. IWÖ Diskussionsbeitrag Nr. 57, Universität St. Gallen, March 1998, ISBN 3-906502-57-0
Müller-Wenk, R. (1998-2): Land Use — The Main Threat to Species. IWOE Discussion Paper no. 64, IWOE University of St. Gallen
Murray, Chr.;Lopez, A. (1996): The Global Burden of Disease. WHO, World Bank and Harvard School of Public Health. Boston
Potting, J.;Hauschild, M.;Wenzel, H. (1998): “Less is better” and “Only above Threshold”: Two Incompatible Paradigms for Human Toxicity in Lifecycle Assessment? Int. J. LCA, in print for issue 6, 1998
Spriensma, R. (1997): Working Document on Fate Analysis for the Eco-Indicator 97. In: EUSES, Internal Working Document, PRé Consultants
Steen, B.;Ryding, S.O. (1992): The EPS Enviro-Accounting Method. IVL, B-1080 Gothenburg
Thompson, M.;Ellis, R.;Wildavsky, A.: Cultural Theory, Westview Print Boulder 1990
Wiertz J. van Dijk &J.B. Latour (1992); MOVE: Vegetatie-module; de kans op voorlomen van 700 plantensoorten als functie van vocht, pH, nutrienten en zout. RIVM rapport nr. 711901006. Bilthoven
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goedkoop, M., Hofstetter, P., Müller-Wenk, R. et al. The ECO-indicator 98 explained. Int. J. LCA 3, 352–360 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02979347
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02979347