Distribution of environmental performance in life cycle assessments—implications for environmental benchmarking

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) is considered a robust method to analyse the environmental impacts of products and used in public private market applications such as Green Public Procurement (GPP) Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Despite usefulness methodology, difficulties exist with interpretation LCA results. The use benchmarks can facilitate this process, but there yet little research on definition benchmarks. aim paper distribution performance for benchmark how it effects selected product categories. Method results from 54 Product Declarations (EPDs) insulation materials 49 EPDs bakery are tested their distribution. outcome statistical analysis compare evaluate three calculation methods benchmark. Results discussion study show that distributions mid- end-points performances studied indicators differ significantly two While some were closer normal distribution, most not normally distributed. This reflected comparison chosen benchmark, which showed data affects classification well position values Conclusion emphasise further groups associated needed understand implications availability comparatively large datasets common structure crucial these analyses be facilitated through digitalisation LCA- EPD-information. Furthermore, more communication formats different benchmarking options, must applied intended audiences effective.