A global survey was carried out in 2014 to assess the status of life cycle networks and life cycle assessment (LCA) database development around the world.

This report provides an overview of the survey results, which have been augmented through consultations with experts on different regional aspects. The survey was mainly distributed via the UNEP/ SETAC Life Cycle Initiative’s global mailing list, which has more than 2500 subscribers, of which more than 10% participated in the survey. Due to their economic and political relevance, the report focuses especially on G20 countries plus Switzerland as well as on the European Union’s target countries which are not included in the G20 group where a momentum for promoting life cycle approaches has been identified (e.g. Thailand).

The global survey carried out in 2014 covered a number of questions to determine the status of mainstreaming life cycle approaches at the country level. It asked participants about the existence, type and activities of national life cycle networks, the existence or plans to develop databases and the related funding needed for setting one up. These questions were inspired by the pioneering work done by Sagisaka (2004) from AIST, Japan, to ensure comparability.