LCA Methodology

Due to a lack of spatial and temporal differentiation in lify-cycle assessment (LCA), no environmental concentrations can be predicted. As a consequence, it does not seem possible to evaluate whether a no-effect level is exceeded. Therefore, some LCA studies show a poor relationship between the predicted environmental impact for impacts of a non-global character. This article discusses possibilities for the inclusion of spatial information in life-cycle impact assessment and provides an outline of a site-dependent approach. The required level of complexity in LCA is analysed. The elements fo the cause-effect and the need for spatial and temporal differentiation within each of these elements are discussed. It is agreed that the accordance between the impact predicted by LCA and the expected occurrence of actual impact can be improved considerably through the use of a site-dependent approach in impact assessment, and without unacceptable increasing uncertainty. In such an approach, the assessment process is extended with a few general site-parameters.