Principles for the application of life cycle sustainability assessment

Abstract Purpose and context This paper aims to establish principles for the increased application use of life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA). Sustainable development (SD) encompassing resilient economies social stability global system is growingly important decision-makers from business governments. The “17 SDGs” emerge as a high-level shared blueprint peace, abundance, prosperity people planet, “sustainability” supporting improvements products organizations. A interpretation—successful in aligning stakeholders’ understanding—subdivides impacts according triple bottom line or three pillars: economic, social, environmental impacts. These urgent needs inspired LCSA framework. entails organizations accordance with pillars, while adopting perspective. Methods Life Cycle Initiative promotes since 2011 pragmatic framework based on techniques: = (LCA) + costing (LCC) (S-LCA). focus paper, acknowledging previous developments. Identified reviewed literature shows challenges addressing pillars implementation like considering only two pillars; not being fully aligned ISO 14040; lacking interconnectedness among having clear criteria results’ weighting nor interpretation; following cause-effect chains mechanisms leading an endpoint. Agreement building experts reviewing processes strengthened consensus this paper. Broad support outreach are ensured by publishing position Results For harmonizing practical applications, easing interpretation, increasing usefulness, consensed ten (10P) established: understanding areas protection, alignment 14040, completeness, product utility considerations, materiality boundaries, transparency, consistency, explicit trade-offs’ communication, caution when compensating Examples were provided fictional plastic water bottle Conclusions In spite interest SD tools, at early stage application. 10P aim promote more better applications ensuring completeness interpretation integrated results, others. consolidating its use, however, consensus-building needed (e.g., value-laden ethical aspects LCSA, interdependencies dimensions, harmonization integration techniques) technical policy recommendations