Abstract
The scope definition is the second phase of an LCA. It determines what product systems are to be assessed and how this assessment should take place. This chapter teaches how to perform a scope definition. First, important terminology and key concepts of LCA are introduced. Then, the nine items making up a scope definition are elaborately explained: (1) Deliverables. (2) Object of assessment, (3) LCI modelling framework and handling of multifunctional processes, (4) System boundaries and completeness requirements, (5) Representativeness of LCI data, (6) Preparing the basis for the impact assessment, (7) Special requirements for system comparisons, (8) Critical review needs and (9) Planning reporting of results. The instructions relate both to the performance and reporting of a scope definition and are largely based on ILCD.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
This chapter is to a large extent based on the ILCD handbook and the ISO standards 14040 and 14044. Due to the scope of this chapter, some details have been omitted, and some procedures have been rephrased to make the text more relevant to students. For more details, the reader may refer to these texts:
EC-JRC.: European Commission—Joint Research Centre—Institute for Environment and Sustainability: International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook—General Guide for Life Cycle Assessment—Detailed Guidance. First edition March 2010. EUR 24708 EN. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg (2010)
ISO.: Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework (ISO 14040). ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2006a)
ISO.: Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Requirements and Guidelines (ISO 14044). ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2006b)
Additional References Used in the Text
Ekvall, T., Azapagic, A., Finnveden, G., et al.: Attributional and consequential LCA in the ILCD handbook. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 21, 293–296 (2016). doi:10.1007/s11367-015-1026-0
Hauschild, M.Z., Goedkoop, M., Guinée, J., et al.: Identifying best existing practice for characterization modeling in life cycle impact assessment. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 18, 683–697 (2013). doi:10.1007/s11367-012-0489-5
IDF.: A common carbon footprint approach for dairy. The IDF guide to standard life cycle assessment methodology for the dairy sector. http://www.idf-lca-guide.org/Public/en/LCA+Guide/LCA+Guidelines+overview (2010). Accessed 2 Aug 2016
Treyer, K., Bauer, C.: Life cycle inventories of electricity generation and power supply in version 3 of the ecoinvent database-part I: electricity generation. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 3, 1–19 (2013). doi:10.1007/s11367-013-0665-2
Weidema, B.P., Bauer, C., Hischier, R., et al.: The ecoinvent database: overview and methodology. Data quality guideline for the ecoinvent database version 3. www.ecoinvent.org (2013)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bjørn, A., Owsianiak, M., Laurent, A., Olsen, S.I., Corona, A., Hauschild, M.Z. (2018). Scope Definition. In: Hauschild, M., Rosenbaum, R., Olsen, S. (eds) Life Cycle Assessment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56474-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56475-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)