Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Survey of approaches to improve reliability in lca

  • Published:
The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Limitations of data quality and difficulties to assess uncertainty are long since acknowledged problems in LCA. During recent years a range of tools for improvement of reliability in LCA have been presented, but despite this there is still a lack of consensus about how these issues should be handled. To give basic understanding of data quality and uncertainty in LCA, key concepts of data quality and uncertainty in the context of LCA are explained. A comprehensive survey of methods and approaches for data quality management, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty analysis published in the LCA literature is presented. It should serve as a guide to further reading for LCA practitioners interested in improving data quality management and uncertainty assessment in LCA projects. The suitability of different tools for addressing different types of uncertainty and future needs in this field is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. De Smet B, Stalmans M (1996): LCI Data and Data Quality. Thoughts and Considerations. Int J LCA 1 (2) 96–104

    Google Scholar 

  2. USEPA (1995): Guidelines for Assessing the Quality of Life Cycle Inventory Analysis. Office of Solid Waste, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ross S, Evans D, Webber M (2001): How LCA Studies Deal with Uncertainty. Int J LCA 7 (1) 47–52

    Google Scholar 

  4. ISO (1997): Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework. ISO 14040:1997

  5. ISO (1998): Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Goal and Scope Definition and Inventory Analysis. ISO 14041:1998

  6. ISO (2000): Environmental Management—Life Cycle assessment—Life Cycle Interpretation. ISO 14043:2000

  7. Huijbregts M (2000): Modelling Data Uncertainty in Life Cycle Inventories. Draft paper prepared for the SETAC Data quality workgroup

  8. Huijbregts M (1998a): Application of Uncertainty and Variability in LCA. Part I: A general Framework for the Analysis of Uncer-tainty and Variability in Life Cycle Assessment. Int J LCA 3 (5) 273–280

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pohl C, Roš M, Waldeck B, Dinkel F (1996): Imprecicion and Un- certainty in LCA. In: Schaltegger S (ed) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)—Quo Vadis? Birkhauser Verlag, Berlin, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  10. Weidema BP, Frees N, Nielsen A-M (1999): Marginal Production Technologies for Life Cycle Inventories. Int J LCA 4 (1) 48–56

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lindfors L-G, Christiansen K, Hoffman L, Virtanen Y, Juntilla V Hanssen O-J, Rønning A, Ekvall T, Finnveden G (1995): Data Quality. Technical report no 5, TemaNord 1995:502, Nordic Council of Ministers. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Google Scholar 

  12. Finnveden G (1999): Methodological Aspects of Life Cycle Assessment of Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling 26, 173–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hoffman L, Weidema BP, Kristiansen K, Ersbøll AK (1995): Statistical Analysis and Uncertainties in Relation to LCA. Special report no 1 in TemaNord 1995:503, Nordic Council of Ministers. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Google Scholar 

  14. Finnveden G (2000): On the limitations of Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Systems Analysis Tools in General. Int J LCA 5 (4) 229–238

    Google Scholar 

  15. Steen B (1997a): The EPS-system. An Overview. CPM-report 1997:2. Centrum för produktrelaterad miljöanalys, Chalmers Tekniska Högskola. Gothenburg, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  16. SETAC (1997): Life-Cycle Impact Assessment: The State-of-the-Art. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), USA

    Google Scholar 

  17. Weidema BP, Wesnæs MS (1996): Data Quality Management for Life Cycle Inventories—An Example of Using Data Quality Indicators. J Cleaner Prod 4 (3-4) 167–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Pålsson AC (1999): Introduction and Guide to LCA Data Documentation Using the CPM Documentation Criteria and the SPINE Format. Centre for Environmental Assessment of Product and Material Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  19. Weidema BP (1999): SPOLD ′99 Format—An Electronic Format for Exchange of LCI Data. Available at http://www.spold.org/publ/ index.html (September 2000)

  20. Weidema BP (1998): Multi-User Test of the Data Quality Matrix for Product Life Cycle Inventory Data. Int J LCA 3 (5) 259–265

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kennedy D J, Montgomery D C, Quay B H (1996): Data Quality. Stochastic Environmental Life Cycle Assessment Modeling. Int J LCA 1 (4) 199–207

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Raynolds MA Checkel MD, Fraser RA (1998): Uncertainty, Sensitivity and Data Quality Assessment for Life Cycle Value Assessment. SAE Special Publications, SP-1342, Proceedings of the 1998 International Congress and Exposition, Design and Manufacture for the Environment, Feb 1998, Detroit, MI, USA, 207–215

  23. Almemark M, Bjuggren C, Granath J, Olsson J, Röttorp J, Lindfors LG (2000): Analysis and Development of the Interpretation Process in LCA. IVL B Report 1375. Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  24. Steen B (1997b): On Uncertainty and Sensitivity of LCA-Based Priority Setting. J Cleaner Prod 5 (4) 255–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. SETAC (2000): List of Definitions. Working paper from SETAC LCA Workgroup: Data Availability and Data Quality

  26. Maurice B, Frischknecht R, Coelho-Schwirtz V, Hungerbüler K (2000): Uncertainty Analysis in Life Cycle Inventory. Applications to the Production of Electricity with French Coal Power Plants. J Cleaner Prod 8, 95–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Heijungs R (1996): Identification of Key Issues for Further Investigation in Improving the Reliability of Life Cycle Assessments. J Cleaner Prod 4 (3-4) 159–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Huijbregts M (1998b): Application of Uncertainty and Variability in LCA. Part II: Dealing with Parameter Uncertainty and Uncertainty due to Choices in Life Cycle Assessment. Int J LCA 3 (6) 343–351

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Harrison K, Ranjithan R (1999): Uncertainty Issues in Environmental Modeling & Decision-making. Presented at the International Expert Group on Life Cycle assessment for Integrated Waste Management Workshop, May 13–14 1999. Raleigh, NC, USA

  30. Asbjørnsen OA (1995): Quality Assurance and Control (QAC) of Uncertainty Models and Simulations of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Uncertainty Modeling and Analysis, September 17–20, 1995, Maryland/ Los Alamitos, CA, USA

  31. Kusko BH, Hunt RG (1997): Managing Uncertainty in Life Cycle Inventories. SAE Special Publications, Proceedings of the 1997 International Congress and Exposition, Feb 24–27, Detroit, MI, USA, 65–68

  32. Kennedy DJ, Montgomery DC, Rollier DA, Keats JB (1997): Data Quality. Assessing Input Data Uncertainty in Life Cycle Assessment Inventory Models. Int J LCA 12 (4) 229–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hedbrant J, Sörme L (2000): Data Vagueness and Uncertainties in Urban Heavy-Metal Data Collection. Accepted for publication in Water, Air and Soil Pollution

  34. Chevalier J-L, Le Teno J-F (1996): Life Cycle Analysis with IllDefined Data and its Application to Building Products. Int J LCA 1 (2) 90–96

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Rønning A, Hanssen OJ, Møller H (1993): Life Cycle Assessment of Two Paint Products. Report OR.76.93, Stiftelsen Østfoldforskning, Fredrikstad, Norway

    Google Scholar 

  36. Petersen EB (1997): Life-Cycle Assesment of Building Components—Handling Uncertainty in LCAs. In: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference Buildings and the Environment, June 1997, Paris, France

  37. Beccali G, Beccali M, Cellura M (1997): Fuzzy Set Application in Life Cycle Inventory of Building Materials. In proceedings of 2nd International Conference Building and the Environment, June 1997, Paris, France

  38. Finnveden G, Lindfors L-G (1998): Data Quality of Life Cycle Inventory Data—Rules of Thumb. Int J LCA 3 (2) 65–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Hanssen OJ, Asbjørnsen OA (1996): Statistical Properties of Emission Data in Life Cycle Assessments. J Cleaner Prod 4 (3-4) 149–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. SETAC (1994): Life-Cycle Assessment Data Quality: A Conceptual Framework. Society of Environmental Toxicolgy and Chemistry (SETAC), USA

    Google Scholar 

  41. Huijbregts M, Norris G, von Bahr B (1999): General Framework to Compare and Develop Methods for Uncertainty Assessment in LCI. Working paper from SETAC LCA Workgroup on Data Availability and Data Quality

  42. Tillman A-M (2000): Significance of Decision-making for LCA Methodology. Environ Impact Assessment Rev 20, 113–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Environmental Strategies Research Group, Box 2142, S-103 14, Stockholm, Sweden

    Anna E. Björklund

Authors
  1. Anna E. Björklund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna E. Björklund.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Björklund, A.E. Survey of approaches to improve reliability in lca. Int J LCA 7, 64–72 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978849

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978849

Keywords

Search

Navigation