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World Circular Economy Forum Feedback
30 May – 2 June 2023| Helsinki, Finland

The Life Cycle Initiative attended the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF), the main annual circular economy event in the world, held in Helsinki from 30 May to 2 June 2023. The forum was co-organized by Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Nordic Innovation, with international partners including UNEP. The main sessions of the conference discussed application of circularity in different sectors, including finite materials and energy, plastics, electronics, buildings and construction and food. On the 2nd of June, workshop sessions were held to discuss the day-to-day actions to transition to a circular economy in these different sectors.

Back-to-back with WCEF, the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) also held their annual assembly. The Life Cycle Initiative presented the Whole Life Cycle Forum for buildings and construction materials.

If you are working on LCA of Buildings and Construction and interested to learn more about the Whole Life Cycle Forum on materials, you can sign up here.

For more information on the WCEF visit: https://wcef2023.com/

Shape the Community of Practice: Join the Life Cycle Networks Survey!

Let’s collaborate, share knowledge, and drive positive change together. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!

Access the survey today!

GLAD Call for Scientific Data

Have you used an LCA software to generate the Life Cycle Inventory data for your recent research work? If so, we are very interested to use your data in the GLAD+ trial phase!

GLAD+ is a new feature of GLAD that we are testing, to increase the accessibility of Life Cycle Inventory data from scientific research. Interested in contributing to this project? Contact us here with the data from your research (ideally in ILCD format or exported in any other standard exchange format).

Find more information on GLAD.

Register now for “Advancing Sustainability through Life Cycle Approaches in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)”

Join us on September 19, 2023 at 13:00-15:00 (GMT +3) to discuss how to integrate Life-cycle thinking and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) methodologies into national strategies for promoting sustainability and green economies in the MENA region.

The event is co-organized by the Life Cycle Initiative, EPD MENA, and Suez Canal University (Egypt). A panel of regional and international experts will share insights on mainstreaming Life-Cycle Approaches and deliberate on the role of a regional LCA network in advancing sustainability in the MENA region.

Register now.

Members, mark your calendars! The 7th General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative will be held on September 27, 2023

The Life Cycle Initiative will host its 7th online General Assembly on September 27, 2023 and, as usual, it will be open to all members of the Initiative. We will use the opportunity to update members on the achievements of the past twelve months and discuss future activities.

Steering Committee elections 
Another important objective of the General Assembly is for members to elect three new representatives to the Steering Committee. As stipulated in the governance of the Initiative, one seat of each constituency in the Steering Committee (government, business, science & civil society) rotates every year.

In order to respect the geographical representation rule, institutional members from the following regions may opt for election to the Steering Committee this year:

• Government: Africa, Europe, West Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Business: Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, West Asia.
• Science & Civil Society: Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, West Asia.

Members with experience in life cycle themes/issues, that are based in the regions noted above, and are interested to be a candidate in the Steering Committee election are encouraged to send a short description of their qualification and motivation to archana.datta@un.org before September 6, 2023.

In September, members will receive more information including a registration link and further details on timing, the agenda, and elections.

Reminder: Membership registration is open throughout the year, and you can fill out the online application form anytime.

The GLAM Project: Creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method​

Building on the recommendations from more than 150 scientists worldwide in 11 virtual workshops, a three-days GLAM consensus workshop took place in Copenhagen from 30 May to 1 June 2023, enabling 40 experts to reach scientific consensus and provide recommendations for the finalization of the Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment method (LCIA) method. The method will be tested for multiple sectors and products and via broader stakeholder consultations, leading to its launch in the first semester of 2024.

Find more information on GLAM.

SCP HAT Training: Strengthening evidence-based SCP policies as a vehicle for economic & social transformation
15-16 June 2023| Bangkok, Thailand and Online

In collaboration with One Planet Network and GO4SDGs, a training on the SCP HAT was organized as part of a two-day workshop on “Strengthening evidence-based SCP policies as a vehicle for economic and social transformation”. This training held on 15-16 June 2023 was attended by over 84 participants from Asia-Pacific countries. Participants not only gained insights into value chain analysis and policy integration but also had the chance to test the SCP HAT tool themselves. As these countries increasingly adopt policy measures to fulfill their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, analyzing value chains for environmental impact hotspots becomes crucial. By identifying sectors and value chains with higher environmental damage, countries can address these challenges. Overall, the training equipped participants with practical tools and knowledge to drive the adoption of SCP policies, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient world.

Find more information on the SCP HAT.

Global Efforts Against Plastic Pollution: Key Highlights and Outcomes of INC-2

The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) concluded in Paris with a mandate to prepare a zero draft of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Over 1,700 participants, including delegates from 169 Member States and NGOs, gathered to address the urgent need for action.

INC-2 emphasized the importance of redesigning products, packaging, and systems to reduce unnecessary plastics and promote a full life-cycle approach. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, stressed the need for an inclusive, transparent, and science-based agreement that supports developing nations. She emphasized the importance of fostering innovation, mobilizing resources, and working together to address this urgent challenge.

To access additional details and gain a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the official press release of INC-2 and Inger Andersen’s speech. The recent UNEP report Turning off the Tap, rooted in a life-cycle approach, provides an assessment of solutions to trigger the systems change to address the causes of plastic pollution.

Call for papers for a Special Issue on Social LCA

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment is inviting researchers and practitioners to submit their original manuscripts on Social LCA. The main goal of the special issue is to draw the current developments and implementations of the UNEP 2020 Guidelines and UNEP 2021 methodological sheets.

The deadline for full paper submission is October 1, 2023.

More information.

The Red Iberoamericana de Ciclo de Vida (RICV)

Introducing the Red Iberoamericana de Ciclo de Vida (RICV), a network of 9 Latin American life cycle networks and 12 individuals. It has a longstanding tradition of cooperation with the international life cycle community and is coordinated by individuals and representatives of organizations. The RICV vision is that decisions made by governments, businesses, and consumers should be based on life cycle approaches to reduce or eliminate environmental and socio-economic negative impacts. Its main objective is to ensure that the joint efforts of its members contribute to its vision. The RICV promotes efficient and effective fundraising for LCA research, development, and innovation projects in Latin America. Its flagship activity is the bi-annual International Conference on the Life Cycle in Latin America (CILCA).

The members and founders of the RICV are well-known LC practitioners with a record of national and international publications. Mid-term planning, string governance, cooperation with the international community, and a mix of new-generation and experienced individuals are key to keeping the RICV relevant.

The following are the associated networks members of the RICV:

• Argentine Life Cycle Network
• Research Network in Life Cycle Impact Assessment
• Chilean Network of Life Cycle Analysis
• Colombian Life Cycle Network
• Cuban Life Cycle Network
• Ecuadorian Network of Life Cycle and Circular Economy
• Guatemalan Life Cycle Network
• Mexican Life Cycle Network
• Peruvian Life Cycle and Industrial Ecology Network (PELCAN)

Stay tuned for our next edition as we continue to showcase the remarkable work of life cycle networks worldwide.

World Resources Forum 2023: early-bird tickets and discounted fees now available

Less than 3 months to the World Resources Forum 2023 ‘Rethinking Value – Resources for Planetary Wellbeing’, a leading international event to advance towards a sustainable and fair use of natural resources. Hosted by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and organised in collaboration with the UNEP Global Intergovernmental Meeting on Minerals and Metals, WRF’23 will take place on 4-6 September in Geneva (Switzerland) and online.

Registrations are now open, and a limited number of Early-Bird Tickets offering 20% discount on 3-day participation in Geneva are available. Furthermore, to ensure inclusivity and accessibility, students (including PhDs) and participants from low- and middle-income countries benefit from highly discounted fees. Secure your spot to the conference and be part of this dialogue for systemic change!

• Register now
• Read the latest updates
• Learn more about WRF 2023
• Get in touch with the Secretariat

USEtox Toxicity Assessment Summer School 2023: Call for applications

The USEtox summer school is suitable for PhD students, researchers, practitioners and professionals in companies and organizations working with toxicity characterization, chemicals management and environmental assessment. The summer school will focus on providing a practical overview of multimedia chemical fate modelling, near-field and far-field consumer and population exposure modelling, ecosystem and human health effects modelling, and comparative indicators for human-toxicological and ecotoxicological impact assessment.

More information.

The 11th Australian Conference on Life Cycle Assessment

19 – 20 July 2023 • Twin Towns, Coolangatta QLD

The 11th LCA Conference will be hosted by the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS) on the Gold Coast in Australia, providing a platform for networking, learning, and discussion among climate and energy practitioners, green building designers, industry users of LCAs and EPDs, government officials, researchers, and LCA professionals.

More information.

International Conference of Life Cycle Assessment in Latin America (CILCA) 2023

24-28 July 2023 • Viña del Mar, Chile and online

CILCA is the biggest conference related to life cycle thinking in Latin America. This conference serves as a platform to present and discuss current themes in the region from science, policy, and decision-making perspectives. The 2023 conference theme is “solutions to regional challenges, supporting global sustainability trends with a life-cycle approach”.

Keynote speakers: Prof. María Teresa Moreira (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela), Prof. Guido Sonnemann (Université de Bordeaux), Prof. Sonia Valdivia (World Resources Forum), Sebastian Stiller (EPD International AB).

More information.

Life Cycle Summer School 2023 (LCSS 2023)

1-4 September 2023 • Loos-en-Gohelle, France

This year’s LCSS 2023 is the 12th in the series under the broader program “Life Cycle Approaches to Sustainable Regional Development”. The programme is open for registration to regional officials and their technical advisors, undergraduate and graduate students, and young professionals, including researchers under 40, who are interested in applying life cycle approaches.

Relevant Deadlines:
07.07.2023 – Stipend Application Deadline
15.08.2023 – Registration Deadline

More information.

World Resources Forum 2023 ‘Rethinking Value – Resources for Planetary Wellbeing’

4-6 September 2023 • Geneva, Switzerland and online

The World Resources Forum 2023 ‘Rethinking Value – Resources for Planetary Wellbeing’ will take place on September 4-6, 2023. LCA will be a focus topic across the three conference tracks:

• Sufficiency: from a consumer to a sufficient society
• Value chains: from extractive to regenerative value chains
• Digitalisation: from growth to purpose

More information.

The 11th International Conference On Life Cycle Management

6-8 September 2023 • Lille, France and online

The LCM (Life Cycle Management) conference series is one of the world’s leading forums for environmental, economic and social sustainability. The focus is on practical solutions for the implementation of life cycle approaches into strategic and operational decision-making, whether in science, industry, NGOs or public institutions. It takes place every second year, each time organized by a leading research institution and industry in the domain.

More information.

Two-day course in Applied Life Cycle Thinking

24-25 October 2023 • Gothenburg, Sweden

The Swedish Life Cycle Center is organizing two-day course on Applied Life Cycle Thinking, which will take place at Chalmers University of Technology, in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 24-25, 2023. This course is designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of how to apply life cycle thinking in their organizations using real cases and proven methods.

More information.

14th LCA Food International Conference

8-12 September 2024 • Barcelona, Spain

Mark your calendar for the 14^th edition of the LCA Food international conference, which will be held from 8 – 12 September, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, and organised by IRTA.

The LCA Food conference is one the leading fora on quantitative sustainability assessment of agrifood systems.

More information.

Plastic Solutions Technical Lead at Common Seas, London or Totnes, England

Common Seas is looking for an analytical solutions designer whose recommendations enable governments and businesses to design and deliver upstream solutions that tackle the source of the plastics problem. The candidate should have a relevant degree and 5 years professional experience in the circular economy, resources & waste management, plastic pollution, international policy and be familiar with obtaining data to produce models and analysis.

More information.

Senior Sustainability Consultant at Schneider Electric, France or Spain

Schneider Electric is seeking a senior sustainability consultant to bring climate strategy expertise and take the lead on several high-profile consultancy assignments in the areas of climate strategy, climate risk and ESC consulting. The candidate should have 5+ years of professional experience in the field of climate, sustainability, or ESC strategy and fluency in French and English.

More information.

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Coordinator at Plastic Omnium, Compiègne, France

Plastic Omnium is seeking a LCA coordinator to support New Energies division. The candidate should have a mechanical engineering degree and relevant experience in product and process analysis.

More information.

Sustainability & CO2 Emission Project Manager at Plastic Omnium, Venette, France

Plastic Omnium is seeking a sustainability and CO2 Emission Project Manager to lead the carbon neutrality projects within the CES Division and support sustainability initiatives. The candidate should have a relevant degree and minimum 10 years’ experience of working in an automotive industry.

More information.

Sustainability Consultant at World Fuel Services, Multiple locations

World Fuel Services is seeking a sustainability consultant to develop and manage decarbonization strategy proposals. The candidate should have relevant degree and 5+ years of consultancy experience for corporate clients in one or more of the following areas: renewable energy, GHG accounting in line with best practice methodologies; LCA / Scope 3 emissions accounting; target setting (SBTs); disclosure (e.g. CDP, TCFD); benchmarking / materiality assessment etc.

More information.

Note that we cannot accept contributions of a commercial nature. LCNet is released bimonthly in the beginning of January, March, May, July, September and November; please send us your piece approximately two weeks before the release date. We look forward to your contributions in disseminating life cycle knowledge from global policy and business agendas!