Life Cycle Assessment from Coursera

This course will introduce you to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA ) methodology, a tool to assess the environmental impact of products and systems over the whole product life cycle, from cradle to grave.

After a discussion of the potentials and limitations of quantitative LCA compared to other assessment tools, we will detail and practice each of the LCA phases. 1) The goals and system definition phase defines the goal and scope of the study, including the product function, functional unit, and the product system and its boundaries. 2) The Life Cycle Inventory phase quantifies the inventory of the various elementary flows of resource extractions and substance emissions crossing the system boundary, providing an overview of existing databases. 3) The life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) phase determines multiple environmental impacts damage and provides an overview of the existing LCIA methods 4) The interpretation phase analyses results from an LCA case study to provide recommendations towards more sustainable products.

Leading actions in several industrial sectors (agriculture and foods, automotive, personal care products, and energy) will be examined through relevant case studies in order to demonstrate how effective environmental life-cycle assessment leads to new product development.

What's inside

Syllabus

Product-Oriented environmental assessment : Introduction to LCA

This week we take a look at the sustainability performance of products over their entire life cycle, from cradle to cradle. After analyzing the large number of products-chemicals we are in daily contact with, we identify the need for LCA, learn about the motivations to conduct LCAs versus other environmental tools. The goals and system definition step defines the goal and scope of the study, including the product function, functional unit, and the product system and its boundaries

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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Appropriate for those who want to acquire or strengthen skills in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Useful for students in environmental science, sustainability, and product design

Familiarizes learners with industry-standard tools and databases for LCA, preparing them for various job functions

Designed for those with prior knowledge of the fundamentals of environmental assessment

Reviews summary

Foundational life cycle assessment for professionals

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, enabling students to assess environmental impacts across product life cycles. The structured modules are widely considered clear and comprehensive. Many value the practical case studies and the SIMAPRO tutorial, which offers hands-on experience. While generally highly relevant for professionals, some learners desired more advanced depth, especially those with prior environmental backgrounds. Overall, it's considered highly beneficial for applying LCA in various industrial sectors.

Good for beginners, but potentially fast-paced.

"The course is very fast-paced, especially if you are completely new to environmental science concepts."

"As an experienced professional, I found the pace just right for a comprehensive overview without excessive detail."

"Could benefit from more in-depth exploration of certain topics for advanced learners seeking mastery."

Instructor explains complex topics effectively.

"The instructor clearly explains the concepts and breaks down complex ideas into manageable parts, making it accessible."

"I found the lectures well-delivered and easy to follow, making the material engaging and comprehensible."

"The overall structure and clear explanations made it easy to grasp even difficult scientific concepts throughout the course."

Offers valuable hands-on experience with SIMAPRO.

"The SIMAPRO tutorial was incredibly helpful for understanding how to apply LCA in real software settings."

"I appreciated the practical examples and case studies; they made the theoretical concepts much clearer and actionable."

"Learning to use SIMAPRO was a significant plus for my professional skills development, adding real-world utility."

Provides a solid foundation in all LCA phases.

"This course covers the entire LCA methodology from A to Z, providing a very clear and structured approach."

"I gained a robust understanding of goal definition, inventory, impact assessment, and interpretation."

"For someone new to LCA, this course offers an excellent starting point that covers all the critical aspects thoroughly."

Highly applicable for career development in industry.

"This course provided practical tools and strategies I could immediately apply in my work and projects."

"The real-world case studies were excellent for seeing how LCA is used in various industrial sectors."

"I highly recommend this course for anyone seeking to incorporate sustainability assessment into their professional role."

Some content or software versions may need updates.

"While the core LCA concepts are timeless, some of the software interface examples seemed slightly outdated compared to current versions."

"I wish the course content could be updated to reflect the latest SIMAPRO version or evolving industry standards."

"Though minor, a refresh on certain examples and references would further enhance the course's current relevance."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Life Cycle Assessment with these activities:

Review of undergraduate environmental science

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Refresh your knowledge of fundamental environmental science concepts, such as ecosystems, biodiversity, and pollution

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Review course notes and textbooks
Complete practice problems and assignments

Practice LCA calculations

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Enhance your understanding of LCA calculations by solving practice problems

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Find practice problems and datasets online
Calculate LCA impacts using the provided data
Compare your results to published sources

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Career center

Learners who complete Life Cycle Assessment will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Life Cycle Assessment Specialist

A Life Cycle Assessment Specialist is responsible for conducting LCA studies. They evaluate the environmental impact of products and systems over their whole product life cycle. This course can provide Life Cycle Assessment Specialists with a comprehensive understanding of LCA methodology. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge is essential for Life Cycle Assessment Specialists to conduct accurate and reliable LCA studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Life Cycle Assessment Specialist

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager is responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility strategies. They analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products and services. This course can be highly beneficial for Corporate Social Responsibility Managers as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Corporate Social Responsibility Managers to make informed decisions about sustainable product development and management.

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Sustainability Analyst

A Sustainability Analyst is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products and services. This course can be highly beneficial for Sustainability Analysts as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Sustainability Analysts to make informed decisions about sustainable product development and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant assists clients in various industries in developing and implementing sustainability strategies. They evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products and services. This course can be highly beneficial for Sustainability Consultants as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Sustainability Consultants to make informed decisions about sustainable product development and management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products and services. This course can be highly beneficial for Sustainability Managers as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Sustainability Managers to make informed decisions about sustainable product development and management.

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Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. They evaluate the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can provide Environmental Engineers with a comprehensive understanding of LCA methodology. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge is essential for Environmental Engineers to assess the environmental impact of their designs and solutions effectively.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its components. They evaluate the environmental impact of human activities. This course can provide Environmental Scientists with a comprehensive understanding of LCA methodology. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge is essential for Environmental Scientists to assess the environmental impact of human activities effectively.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant assists clients in various industries in developing and implementing environmental management plans. They evaluate the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course provides a solid foundation for Environmental Consultants by teaching them how to assess the environmental impact of products and systems over their whole product life cycle. The course covers various phases of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge is essential for Environmental Consultants to help their clients make informed decisions about their environmental performance.

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Environmental Economist

An Environmental Economist analyzes the economic impacts of environmental policies and regulations. They consider the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can be valuable for Environmental Economists as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Economists to make informed decisions about environmental policy and regulation.

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Product Developer

A Product Developer is responsible for designing and developing new products. They consider the environmental impact of products over their entire life cycle. This course can be valuable for Product Developers as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Product Developers to make informed decisions about sustainable product design.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

An Environmental Policy Analyst develops and analyzes environmental policies. They consider the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can be valuable for Environmental Policy Analysts as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Policy Analysts to make informed decisions about environmental policy.

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Environmental Auditor

An Environmental Auditor evaluates the environmental performance of organizations. They assess the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can be valuable for Environmental Auditors as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Auditors to conduct thorough and effective environmental audits.

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Environmental Health and Safety Manager

An Environmental Health and Safety Manager is responsible for developing and implementing environmental health and safety programs. They evaluate the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can be valuable for Environmental Health and Safety Managers as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Health and Safety Managers to make informed decisions about environmental health and safety.

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Environmental Planner

An Environmental Planner develops and implements plans for the protection and management of the environment. They consider the environmental impact of products, processes, and facilities. This course can be valuable for Environmental Planners as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Planners to make informed decisions about environmental planning.

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Environmental Lawyer

An Environmental Lawyer specializes in environmental law and regulations. They advise clients on environmental compliance and litigation. This course can be valuable for Environmental Lawyers as it provides them with a framework for assessing the environmental impact of products and systems. The course covers various phases of LCA, including goal and system definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation. This knowledge enables Environmental Lawyers to advise their clients effectively on environmental matters.

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