News 2023
The most recent news from the Life Cycle Initiative. Archives from 2021 and previous years are found below.
LC Net newsletter for November – December 2023 published!
November/December 2023 Edition Contents LC Net Focus Announcements Project & Activity Updates Spotlight on Life Cycle Networks Life Cycle Community News Life Cycle Event Calendar Job Announcements Contact us: info@lifecycleinitiative.org www.lifecycleinitiative.org LC…
Call for proposals deadline extended: Reaching an international recommendation by the UNEP-hosted Life Cycle Initiative on ‘Considering Biogenic Carbon in LCA’
The Life Cycle Initiative, hosted by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is implementing the Biogenic Carbon project, a two-year project which promotes clear technical guidance for considering biogenic carbon in LCA…
Highlights and outcomes of the 7th General Assembly of Life Cycle Initiative Members
With 121 members joining us at this year’s General Assembly, we observed a significant turnout and engagement.If you weren’t able to join us, we share some highlights here.
International Resource Panel recruiting leading scientists with policy-relevant expertise
The International Resource Panel (IRP) is seeking to recruit leading scientists with policy-relevant expertise, particularly in the development and implementation of science-based solutions for the sustainable management of natural resources…
LC Net September-October 2023
LC Net Focus: World Circular Economy Forum Feedback • Announcements: Shape the Community of Practice: Join the Life Cycle Networks Survey! • GLAD Call for Scientific Data …
Draft agenda available 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…
Just published: Comparison tables for Single-use Plastic Products (SUPP) and their Alternatives
Based on the results of the UNEP Life Cycle Assessment metastudies series, this booklet shows what alternatives have the least environmental impacts for nine types of commonly used single-use plastic products, based on a systematic review of published Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and case studies.
LC Net July August 2023
LC Net Focus: World Circular Economy Forum Feedback • Announcements: Shape the Community of Practice: Join the Life Cycle Networks Survey! • GLAD Call for Scientific Data …
Shape the Community of Practice: Join the Life Cycle Networks Survey!
Calling all LCA networks! We invite you to participate in our comprehensive survey aimed at mapping and understanding the capacities of LCA networks worldwide. By participating, you’ll provide valuable insights…
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+…
May/June 2023 LC Net Newsletter highlights
Call for Funding: a new project to develop consistent guidelines to model and consider Biogenic Carbon in LCA • GLAD continues to innovate • INC-2: Registration Open • Calling for your inputs on national/regional events related to life-cycle approaches • Interns: Welcome to the new! and farewell to the old
New Biogenic Carbon project gets underway; experts sought
This project aims to use an expert-led multi-stakeholder process to develop a recommendation that brings harmonisation, stability, verifiability and enhanced credibility of LCA results for food and other bio-based products.
What did we accomplish in 2022? Find out in our latest Progress Report
2022 has been a monumental year, marking the 50th anniversary of UNEP and the 20th anniversary of the Life Cycle Initiative. Life-cycle thinking as an approach to inform decisions, received…
Participate in the UN Environment Programme-supported survey for weighting environmental impacts
This research is needed in order to help decision-makers prioritise when analyses of the complex world we live in provide answers that point in different directions.
March/April 2023 LC Net highlights
Call for Funding: a new project to develop consistent guidelines to model and consider Biogenic Carbon in LCA • GLAD continues to innovate • INC-2: Registration Open • Calling for your inputs on national/regional events related to life-cycle approaches • Interns: Welcome to the new! and farewell to the old
Consultant Recruitment: GLAD Mapping Coordinator
UNEP is seeking to engage a consultant for the position of GLAD mapping coordinator to design and validate the blueprint for the system required for the development of a common…
Call for crowd funding for GLAM survey
The GLAM project on Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment is conducting a survey, that aims to identify the importance levels that citizens assign to various environmental impacts that…
Life Cycle Initiative publishes 2022-2027 strategy
New Strategy published for 2022-2027 period The Life Cycle Initiative has published its updated Strategy for the next four-year period. The Strategy guides the Initiative’s activities, which aim to enable…
Publication of the report “Supermarket Food Packaging LCA Meta-Analysis”
UNEP’s report on “Single-use supermarket food packaging and its alternatives: Recommendations from life cycle assessments” is now available online. The report draws recommendations for policy makers and LCA practitioners on…
Bring on 2023!
Happy and healthy new year to the Life Cycle Community! We are excited to welcome 2023 with a renewed sense of purpose. 2022 was a landmark year for the…
January/February 2023 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the January/February 2023 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Bring on 2023! Happy and healthy new year to the Life Cycle...
News 2022
The most recent news from the Life Cycle Initiative. Archives from 2021 and previous years are found below.
May/June 2023 LC Net Newsletter highlights
Call for Funding: a new project to develop consistent guidelines to model and consider Biogenic Carbon in LCA • GLAD continues to innovate • INC-2: Registration Open • Calling for your inputs on national/regional events related to life-cycle approaches • Interns: Welcome to the new! and farewell to the old
March/April 2023 LC Net highlights
Call for Funding: a new project to develop consistent guidelines to model and consider Biogenic Carbon in LCA • GLAD continues to innovate • INC-2: Registration Open • Calling for your inputs on national/regional events related to life-cycle approaches • Interns: Welcome to the new! and farewell to the old
January/February 2023 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the January/February 2023 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Bring on 2023! Happy and healthy new year to the Life Cycle...
New VIDEO: Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information
Making effective environmental, social and economic claims, to empower and enable consumer choice Consumers are becoming more mindful of how their consumption and purchasing choices can make a positive impact...
November/December LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the November-December 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus The first session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) From 28 November...
Join our COP 27 Side event: ‘Pathways to Sustainable Markets through credible, comparable Lifecycle-based information’
Join ‘Pathways to Sustainable Markets through credible, comparable Lifecycle-based information’ on November 16 during COP27. Register to watch our live stream How we construct our buildings and cities is an…
Join the Multi-stakeholder Forum to End Plastic Pollution (INC-1)
When: Saturday 26 November 2022 (9:30-18:15 GMT-3) Where: Punta del Este Convention and Exhibition Centre, Uruguay (in-person and online) Programme & Registration (before 31 Oct 2022): https://bit.ly/MultiStakeholderForumINC1 You are…
Life Cycle Initiative welcomes new Steering Committee members
The Steering Committee elections were carried out online during 15-23 September 2022, following the 6th General Assembly of the members of the Life Cycle Initiative. The elected steering committee is...
September-October LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the September-October 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus SCP-HAT introduces a new supply chain module The SCP-HAT tool is introducing a new...
SCP-HAT tool introduces a new supply chain module
The SCP-HAT tool is introducing a new supply chain module which will notably support the UNEP’s work in the minerals and metals sector. The SCP-HAT is an online tool relevant…
Life Cycle Initiative is recruiting
The Life Cycle Initiative is recruiting a Consultant to support with its work on plastic pollution among governments and to respond to Member States requests linked to the plastics pollution…
Initiative members: 6th General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative to be held in September 2022
The Life Cycle Initiative will host its 6th online General Assembly in September 2022 and, as usual, it will be open to all members of the Initiative. We will use…
The July-August 2022 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the July-August 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus The life cycle approach is embedded in the plastics pollution agenda Announcements...
The life cycle approach is embedded in the plastics pollution agenda
The Life Cycle Initiative co-hosted the multi-stakeholder dialogues alongside the preparatory Open Ended Working Group meeting for the intergovernmental negotiating committee on plastic pollution from 29 May to 1 June. The dialogues demonstrated the diversity…
Life Cycle Initiative 2002-2022: Speeding up the transition to Sustainable Consumption and Production with Life Cycle Approaches
After 20 years of existence, it is a perfect moment to first, take stock of the achievements of the Life Cycle Initiative and second, to look ahead as to how...
Innovative Business Practices and Economic Models in the Textile Value Chain (InTex)
Globally USD 460 billion of value is lost each year by discarding clothes that could still be worn How Life Cycle Thinking helps developing Innovative Business Practices for African SMEs…
The relevance of Life Cycle Approaches to Beat Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a global problem. Approximately 7 billion of the 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic produced from 1950-2017 became plastic waste, ending up in landfills or dumped. Plastic pollution…
Join the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues to share your voice to end plastic pollution
29 May – 1 June 2022 You are invited to join the Multi-Stakeholder dialogues, which are part of the programme of the open-ended working group (OEWG), and organized by UNEP, the…
Social LCA: Final report on pilot studies published
We are very happy to announce that the final report on the nine Pilot projects has been published in May 2022, only a few months after the translation of the UNEP 2020 Guidelines…
The Life Cycle Initiative’s role in the multi-stakeholder agenda of the International Negotiating Committee process following UNEA 5.2’s resolution
Two months have already passed since UNEA 5.2 created momentum in the global environmental agenda! Its historic resolution ‘End Plastic Pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument’ has already sparked…
The May-June 2022 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the May-June 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus The Life Cycle Initiative’s role in the multi-stakeholder agenda of the International...
Last day to apply to join the Life Cycle Initiative team: Application deadline April 12
The Life Cycle Initiative is seeking a new full-time (P2) team member to join the Secretariat at the UNEP Paris office. The full description is below and the application deadline...
Call for interest for implementing partner to support impact assessment work on sustainable economic pathways for sustainable and circular textiles
Impact assessment on sustainable economic pathways for sustainable and circular textiles UNEP is seeking an Implementing Partner to support its impact assessment work on sustainable economic pathways for sustainable and…
Welcome to our two new Interns at the Life Cycle Initiative
The Life Cycle Unit have regularly engaged interns in being able to provide crucial support in the works of the Unit. Two new interns are joining the Unit from March…
Our 2021 Progress Report is now available
In 2021, the global pandemic continued to affect our lives and our work. Thankfully, we have a fiercely passionate network and community and thus our activities continued as planned. Much…
UNEA5.2 brings the application of life cycle approaches to a whole new level
The Giant Plastic Tap, co-created by Artist Benjamin Von Wong, the Human Needs Project and the residents of Kibera, welcomed participants to UNEA5.2, reminding them of 1) the urgent need…
The March-April 2022 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the March-April 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus UNEA5.2 brings the application of life cycle approaches to a whole new...
Single-use Face Masks vs. Reusable Face Masks: Which are more eco-friendly?
Reusable face masks, compared to disposable masks, were found to be a more environmentally friendly alternative when used responsibly and economically. As part of a single-use plastic products series, this article provides policy recommendations from life cycle assessments on single-use face masks and their alternatives.
Join the high-level event ‘Reuse Solutions to Beat Plastic Pollution’ @UNEA 5.2
With only 9% of global plastic waste being recycled, managing waste once it’s generated is not nearly enough. How can we scale waste prevention solutions focused on reuse? This session…
Are you an expert in circular economy? UNEP is recruiting!
Apply and join our UNEP team to conduct policy research, develop & disseminate knowledge products on circular economy and contribute to the work of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy…
Call for Expression of Interest for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the InTex project in Kenya
Duration of the call: 31st January 2022 to 14th February 2022 ECO-INNOVATION AND PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT FOR THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL VALUE CHAIN The present Call for Proposals is launched in…
Call for Abstracts: The International Conference of Social Life Cycle Assessment 2022
The 8th edition of the conference will take place in a hybrid format from 5th-8th September 2022 in Aachen, Germany and is hosted by the Institute of Sustainability in Civil…
The January-February 2022 LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the January-February 2022 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Bring on 2022! Announcements New version of the SCP-HAT interactive online tool...
Bring on 2022!
The Life Cycle Initiative leveraged our learning experience in 2020 to continue its diverse work, driving the uptake of a Life Cycle Approach across the world.
Improving GLAD Metadata via user experience
The Global LCA Data Access (GLAD) Network, which is led by the Life Cycle Initiative, is the largest directory of life cycle assessment (LCA) datasets. It aims to increase accessibility and…
Internship opportunity with the Life Cycle Initiative: Apply by 16 January
If you are passionate about getting life cycle approaches to inform decisions towards sustainable consumption and production, are in the final year or have just finalised your BSc or Masters,…
News 2021
The most recent news from the Life Cycle Initiative. Archives from 2020 and previous years are found below.
Register now for the Guidance on Social Life Cycle Assessment Hybrid Event: Brussels & Online
We are happy to announce a hybrid event on December 7th, 2021 at 13h30 CET at the Residence Palace in Brussels, as well as online, entitled “Implementing the New UNEP 2020…
SCP-HAT: v2.0 launch
The Sustainable Consumption and Production and Hotspot Analysis Tool (SCP-HAT) v 2.0 will be available in the public domain in the next couple of weeks, with substantive new features as well as the…
Call for LCA Studies and Experts on Supermarket Food Packaging
We are working on the meta analysis on single-use plastic food packaging and its alternatives. We are looking for relevant LCA studies that cover reusable options (e.g., “zero-waste” supermarkets/refill stations…
LCA of food packaging used in humanitarian assistance: request for knowledge sharing
The Joint Initiative for sustainable humanitarian packaging waste management is currently starting a project aiming at performing life cycle analysis of the main packaging items used in humanitarian assistance response….
Welcome to our new Steering Committee Members, Farewell to the departing!
Our 5th General Assembly was held on September 23rd and included our Steering Committee Elections for a representative for the Government Constituency, the Business Constituency and for the Individual Seat…
The Global LCA Data Access Network: Announcing the GLAD New Features
Are you looking for an LCA dataset for your study and don’t know where to start? On GLAD you are able to browse among over 90,000 LCA datasets on more…
The November – December LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the November-December 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus The Global LCA Data Access Network: Announcing the GLAD New Features Announcements...
New short tutorial: How to use GLAD to search for LCA datasets
How to use GLAD: Search for LCA datasets The Global LCA Data Access Network (GLAD) is the largest directory of LCA datasets from all over the world. GLAD aims to...
Join the Life Cycle Initiative team!
As noted in our General Assembly and in our social media platforms, the Life Cycle Initiative is seeking a new team member! We're seeking a new full-time (P3) team member!...
The September-October LC Net highlights
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the September-October 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Lessons and take-home messages from Webinar on Life Cycle Approach to Plastics...
The July-August LC Net newsletter is out!
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the July-August 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Strategic Shifts occurring within the Life Cycle Initiative Announcements A significant “departure”...
Join the Launch: UNEP’s new textile project
UNEP is supporting Sustainable Consumption and Production systems in the textiles sector by providing access to expertise and data on life cycle thinking, resource efficiency and circularity. The InTex project will officially…
Upcoming webinar: the environmental impacts of single-use nappies
In continuation of the Life Cycle Initiative’s work on single-use plastic products and their alternatives, the study on nappies has recently been published. Join our panel of experts as they present...
The May-June LC Net newsletter is out!
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the May-June 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus E-Learning Life Cycle Thinking at the University of Balamand (Lebanon): A conversation...
“FlipFlopi”: Preventing Plastics Pollution with a Circular Economy approach
The Life Cycle Initiative’s Llorenç Milà i Canals contributed to a lively event co-hosted by UNEP, the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam and the FlipFlopi project, on Preventing…
E-Learning Life Cycle Thinking at the University of Balamand (Lebanon): A conversation with Rima Manneh
As many of our readers know, the Life Cycle Initiative has an online course on Life Cycle Thinking. This course is for anyone who wants to learn more about life…
Call for proposals, literature and reviewers for a new meta-study
CALL FOR PROPOSALS, LITERATURE and REVIEWERS for a NEW META-STUDY ‘Single-use plastic food packaging and its alternatives: Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessments’ The Life Cycle Initiative is issuing a Call...
[UN Food Systems Summit] Call for experts | Environmental and Nutritional LCA
In view of the UN Food Systems Summit scheduled in Sept. 2021, the discussion about eco-friendlier foods in the context of dietary patterns and sustainable food systems is gaining much attention…
The March-April LC Net newsletter is out!
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the March/April 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus 2020 Retrospective The Life Cycle Initiative’s 2020 Progress Report is now available....
U.S. Electricity Baseline Data now in GLAD
The United States Federal LCA Commons recently published its U.S. Electricity Baseline on the Global Life Cycle Assessment Data (GLAD) platform. This data set is a major milestone in advancing…
New Publication: Addressing Single-Use Plastic Products Pollution using a Life Cycle Approach
In response to the request by Member States at the Fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly in March 2019, the report “Addressing Single-Use Plastic Products Pollution using a Life...
UNEA5 side event: Addressing single-use plastic products pollution with a life cycle approach
Interested in knowing how various countries deal with plastic pollution? Want to know how single-use plastic products fare against their alternatives from an environmental life cycle standpoint? Tune in to...
Just published: Life Cycle Initiative Progress Report 2020
The Life Cycle Initiative is pleased to present its Progress Report for 2020 activities. The report details the progress made in our three key activity areas: Technical and Policy Advice,...
UNEP Job posting: Programme Management Officer – Markets and Plastic Value Chain for the SEA circular project
UNEP is currently looking for a Programme Management Officer – Markets and Plastic Value Chain for the SEA circular project, implemented jointly by UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the…
Full article “Using LCA to achieve a circular economy” available at the Int J LCA
The full article “Using LCA to achieve a circular economy” available at the Int J LCA! It gives an LCA perspective on development, adoption, & implementation of CE, noting LCA’s…
Extended deadline: Call for proposals to support project “Reduce marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin American and Caribbean cities through a circular economy approach”
Together with countries in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, UNEP is developing a project entitled “Reduce marine plastics and plastic pollution in Latin American and Caribbean cities…
Deadline extended: Call for proposals for textiles implementing partners in Africa
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is implementing the InTex project, a three-year project funded by the European Commission (EC), which promotes innovative business practices and economic models in the textile...
Bring on 2021!
We’ve said good-bye to 2020 and have jumped into 2021 with renewed vigour 2020 was certainly a memorable year with COVID dominating globally. While the switch to a virtual world...
Our first 2021 Newsletter is out!
We’re pleased to present the headlines of the January/February 2021 edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Bring on 2021! We’ve said good-bye to 2020 and have jumped into...
Invitation to GLAD Developer Days
Can you help GLAD to perform better and extend its functionalities to become the reference tool for finding LCA data, everywhere? Can you join us on February 10 and 11,...
Defining the plan for a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method (GLAM)
The implementation plan for the creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method (GLAM) has now been defined! Over 280 people participated in the 2020 stakeholder consultation meetings (May…
News 2020
The most recent news from the Life Cycle Initiative. Archives from 2019 and previous years are found below.
Launch webinar: The Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of Products 2020
Watch the launch of the Guidelines for S-LCA of Products and Organizations (2020 edition) On January 21, over 170 participants took part in the virtual event to launch the updated 2020...
UNEP seeks Implementing Partner for technical support in EPR
UNEP is looking for an Implementing Partner to provide technical support in the establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for priority product streams in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic…
Upcoming webinar: Guidance on developing national LCA database roadmaps
Join us on November 19th for guidance on developing national LCA database roadmaps and to learn from the experiences of countries that are successfully advancing their national LCA databases. Register...
UNEP is recruiting a Spanish-speaking intern for circular economy work
UNEP is looking for a Spanish-speaking intern to work on circular economy and especially a plastics project in Latin America. The position is home-based. Please apply before 27 November, 2020….
November-December 2020 LC Net newsletter is out!
We're pleased to present the headlines of the November/December edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Single-use plastic products and their alternatives Watch the overview webinars & download the LCA...
Upcoming webinars: Presenting our e-learning courses on Life Cycle Thinking
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) is about going beyond the traditional focus on production sites and manufacturing processes to include the environmental, social and economic impacts of a product over its...
New Report published: Single-use plastic take-away food packaging and its alternatives
The new report summarises knowledge about the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging for take-away food and alternatives that could potentially replace it. Takeaway food is interpreted as food that…
Webinar Series on Single Use Plastic Products and Learnings from LCA – October 2020
The United Nations Environmental Programme's Life Cycle Initiative team is currently progressing single-use plastic products work (UNEA4/Res 9) leading up to UNEA5. As part of this activity, we are launching...
2 Internship posts at the Life Cycle Initiative
This intern opportunity is located within the Life Cycle Initiative unit of the Resources and Markets Branch, Economy Division of UNEP (http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/). The intern will work under the direct supervision...
Register now! Upcoming webinars on plastics
UPCOMING WEBINARS Mapping Plastics Pollution Join to learn the methodology of plastic mapping. While content is technical the webinar is also suited for governments. The same webinar will be held…
September – October LC Net newsletter is out!
We're pleased to present the headlines of the September-October edition of the LC Net: LC Net Focus Steering Committee election: Candidates announced! Announcements LCA Awards: And the award goes to......
GLAD progresses, but much more still to do
While the Global LCA Data Access (GLAD) was launched last June, work continues relentlessly behind the scenes to improve and assure the long-term interoperability of LCA datasets. The GLAD Nomenclature…
SCP-HAT guides country strategies on sustainability
UNEP has developed the Green Economy Progress Measurement Framework (GEPMF), to assist countries monitor progress in transitioning to an inclusive green economy. This tool is currently available to partner countries in…
Portuguese e-learning course “An Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking” now available!
The Life Cycle Initiative is very excited to announce the launch of the Portuguese version of the e-learning course “An Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking”. The introductory course is available…
LCA Awards: and the winners are…
The LCA Award aims to enhance the capacity to apply life cycle thinking around the world, by generating local life cycle data, knowledge and application. This year’s list of awarded…
Life Cycle Initiative SC elections 2020: Candidate bios
The 4th General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative is approaching quickly. Like every year, one-third of the Steering Committee seats (i.e., one in each constituency) are being renewed through...
New Report: National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action
New Guidance document UNEP, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Life Cycle Initiative co-developed a ‘National Guidance for Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action’. The Guidance...
July-August LC Net published!
In this LC Net edition: Focus: Must-Read: the Initiative’s Latest Position Paper on Circular Economy Profiling our Partners Unilever: New Engagements for a Healthier Planet Announcements Save The Date: 4th General...
Must-Read: the Initiative’s Latest Position Paper on Circular Economy
Circular Economy (CE) is gaining more and more attention worldwide as a way to advance efficiently towards sustainable consumption and production patterns, which in turn contributes to achieving the sustainable...
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Call for Expressions of Interest: Greening SMEs in Georgia
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Call for Expressions of Interest: Greening SMEs in Georgia Deadline: 20th July 2020 UNEP is looking for an Implementing Partner to provide technical support for greening…
Be GLAD 😉 Your one-stop-shop platform to search, find, compare, convert and download LCA datasets is now online!
Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD) launch webinar summary On June 11th, the Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD) was launched! For the occasion, we held a dynamic 2-hour virtual…
New publication available for download: Single-use plastic bottles and their alternatives — Recommendations from life cycle assessments
The meta-analysis study on single-use plastic bottles developed with IVL has passed through stakeholder consultation and is now published and available for download. Plastics is used for producing some of…
Our new report supporting national LCA databases development is now available!
Roadmap for national LCA database development: guidance and recommendations from around the world New publication to support countries in the development of LCA databases; providing them with guidance and recommendations...
Join us for the Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD) launch!
Join the discussions, see demonstrations, and more On June 11 from 15:00-17:00 CEST, we will launch the Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD)! The launch will be a super dynamic…
GLAM phase 3 builds momentum
Did you miss the Stakeholder consultation on the on the Creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method? Check it on-line! Below, you can consult the recording of the...
Call for proposals in LAC and CEE regions on electronics and circular economy
UNEP is looking for a partner from the Latin America and Caribbean region and one partner from the Central and Eastern Europe region to develop two regional circular economy studies…
An update on the Social LCA project
The Social LCA Project focuses on the revision of the Guidelines of Social Life Cycle Assessment, and road testing it in the private sector. Currently, the updated Guidelines are in…
Life Cycle Considerations within the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance
By Paolo Masoni, Ecoinnovazione srl. Member of the EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. Last March, the Final report of the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (the “Taxonomy”)…
Join us for the Stakeholder Consultation on the Creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method
Please join us for the Stakeholder Consultation on the Creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method! The Life Cycle Initiative calls on all interested parties to join us...
A message to the Life Cycle Community in the times of COVID-19
Dear partners of the Life Cycle Initiative and the entire Life Cycle Community, We hope that you and your families are safe and healthy, during these unprecedented times. The global…
UNEP Paris recruiting a home-based consultant: electronics circular economy
Result of Service – Increased knowledge related to circular economy approaches for electronics in Nigeria and Africa and time-framed recommended actions to build circularity in the electronics value chain identified….
EXTENDED: Consultation on S-LCA Guidelines now open: Deadline May 5
The UN Environment Life Cycle Initiative supported by the SLC Alliance has conducted a revision of the Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of products (S-LCA Guidelines) which was…
New Report: “Addressing Marine Plastics: A systemic Approach – Recommendations for Actions”
Building on two previous reports (Addressing Marine Plastics: A Systemic Approach – Stocktaking Report and Mapping of Global Plastics Value Chain and Plastics Losses to the Environment: With a Particular...
Get Involved: GLAM Phase 3 launch
The Life Cycle Initiative is pleased to announce the launch of the Global LCIA guidance Phase 3 “Creation of a Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method", aiming at establishing a...
New Report: The 2019 Annual Progress Report of the Life Cycle Initiative
The 2019 Annual Progress Report of the LC Initiative is a great way to catch up with the progress of the Initiative across its 2017-2022 strategy through the achievements of...
Single-use plastic bags and their alternatives: Recommendations from life cycle assessments
New publication on alternatives to plastic bags based on life cycle assessments. Final version now available for download. Single-use plastic bags (SUPBs) are one of the most consumed items globally...
Life Cycle Initiative welcomes IHOBE as new funding partner
On 26th of February 2020, the Basque Government’s Ministry for the Environment, Territorial Planning and Housing, represented by IHOBE, the Public Environmental Performance Agency, officially became a new funding partner...
UNEP’s Production and Consumption and Production unit is recruiting a UN Volunteer in Paris
UNEP’s Consumption and Production unit is recruiting a UN Volunteer in Paris • application deadline 8 March Eligibility criteria Candidate age: between 18 and 29 throughout the entire duration of…
Consultancy opportunity open in UNEP’s Panama office!
Expert on Circular Economy and Sustainable Consumption and Production Calling all LCA and Circular Economy experts in Latin America and the Caribbean! Check this opportunity if you are fluent in…
The GLAD Working Groups on Nomenclature and Metadata descriptors are back!
Many thanks to those of you who already expressed your interest to join these working groups on Nomenclature and Metadata descriptors after the call in the previous newsletter! The working…
Call for Application to a Startup Competition: Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge
Call for Application to a Startup Competition: Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge The UN Environment Programme has launched the Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge, a competition for startups…
Welcome to our new team member Claudia Giacovelli
Claudia Giacovelli joins the Life Cycle initiative team in Paris in January 2020, as a programme officer. Since 2016 she has worked at the UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)…
Call for proposals: ‘Refining Hotspots assessment in the Food and Beverage Processing sector in Argentina and Shaping Action to address them’
Desired final outcome: The desired final outcome of this project will be: A guide with a general characterization of the sector, the main points of environmental impact and references for...
Call for proposals: ‘Hotspots analysis for different value chains involving ozone-depleting substances’
Desired final outcome: The desired final outcome of this project will be: A short summary report on the global overview of life cycle impacts related to specific functions supported by...
News 2019
Extended: Call for Applications for the 2019 LCA Award
Note: Due to issues with sending the LC Net newsletter, the deadline for applications for the 2019 Life Cycle Award has been extended to December 31, 2019. The Life Cycle...
A new exciting opportunity at UNEP Finance Initiative
A great opportunity to join the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) as a consultant in Geneva is now available! UNEP FI is seeking a researcher/writer to undertake a global study…
The Life Cycle Initiative welcomes its new Steering Committee
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the 3rd General Assembly of the Initiative on the 24th of September. We hope you found it informative and enjoyed it…
Global Guidance on Environmental Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators (GLAM) Volume 2 published!
We are excited to announce that the second volume of the Global Guidance on Environmental Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators (GLAM) is now ready and accessible directly through our website!…
Expert input needed for Survey: Research project on the use of life cycle analysis (LCA) in public policy
Dear expert on life cycle analysis, We are conducting a research project on the use of life cycle analysis (LCA) in public policy. The research is funded by the Canadian…
Join the Life Cycle team in UNEP: Deadline October 30!
A great opportunity to join the Life Cycle team in UNEP (in charge of the Secretariat of The Life Cycle Initiative, among many other exciting things!) is open for applications…
September/October LC Net published!
In this LC Net edition: Focus: Development of National LCA Database Roadmaps Announcements Members: Mark your calendars for the 3rd General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative on 24 September...
Development of National LCA Database Roadmaps
We are pleased to announce the finalisation of the Development of National LCA Database Roadmaps project, which was part of the Resource Efficiency through Application of Life cycle thinking (REAL)…
LCA Success Story: Greening Guatemalan Palm Oil
Guatemala is the largest exporter of palm oil in the Central America region and the sixth largest producer in the world with 740 million tons produced annually. Concern is growing...
New Project: Marine Impacts in LCA (MariLCA)
We are happy to let you know that the Marine Impacts in LCA (MariLCA) project was recently officially launched during SETAC Europe Annual Meeting in Helsinki. MariLCA is an international…
Implementation of life cycle thinking in the tourism sector: Case study for Dominican Republic
In the past two years, the Life Cycle Initiative has built a strong collaboration with the Sustainable Tourism Programme of One Planet Network, to provide hotspot analysis and develop low-carbon…
Peru LCA database launched
On May 23 an event was held to launch PERU LCA . The event was very successful with more that 70 representatives from several ministries, private sector and academia. PERU LCA is...
Part-time consultant position open in UN Environment to support the Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD)
A substantive number of dataset providers (nodes) has indicated to be interested in connecting to GLAD. In order to enable these dataset providers to manage the technical and operational aspects…
Call for Proposals: ‘Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessment studies of single-use plastic bags and their alternatives’
Call for Proposals: ‘Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessment studies of single-use plastic bags and their alternatives’ The Life Cycle Initiative is issuing a Call for Proposals for a project that…
Social LCA Guidelines revision and pilot move forward
Industrial meeting and expert workshop on the Social LCA Guidelines revision and pilot, held during 24-26 April in Paris The Social LCA Guidelines revision process reached a new milestone with...
Outcomes of the 2nd marine plastics consultation workshop
Outcomes of the 2nd Multi-stakeholder consultation workshop on a systematic approach to marine plastics In late January, the 2nd multi-stakeholder consultation workshop on a systematic approach to marine plastics took…
Looking back at great momentum at USEtox training in Sri Lanka
As part of the GEF-funded project to advance the consideration of chemicals in products within SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management), an introductory training on USEtox was hosted by…
Win participation in the LCM 2019 conference
The Life Cycle Initiative is thrilled to announce a competition to win participation in the 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, to take place on 1-4 September 2019 in…
Registration now open for 3rd official USEtox PhD Summer School
Registration is now open for the 3rd official USEtox PhD Summer School (until 15th May!) Hosted by Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) on 3-7 June 2019, and organized by Technical University…
Product Environmental Footprint Training during SETAC Helsinki
Product Environmental Footprint Training during SETAC Helsinki on 26 May (registration until 8 May!) The European Commission, in collaboration with UN Environment and the Life Cycle Initiative, is organizing a…
Call for Expression of Interest in pilot testing the Social LCA Guidelines
The call for expression of interest in the Social LCA revised Guidelines pilots is out! Be one of the first to apply the new Guidelines in projects supported by the…
What does UNEA4 mean for the Life Cycle community?
Congratulations Life Cycle community for the global acknowledgement of Life Cycle Assessment and life cycle approaches at the Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly! (UNEA4) The texts and narrative (Ministerial Declaration,…
Deadline March 27: Two temporary positions @ IRP
Two temporary positions as Associate Programme Management Officer in the International Resource Panel (IRP) (to cover maternity leave) The Secretariat of the International Resource Panel (IRP), hosted by UN Environment,…
New ‘hotspots’ tool pinpoints unsustainable consumption and production
UN Environment launched in March 2019 a new tool that allows countries to see “hotspots” of unsustainable practices in consumption and production. The tool, known as the Sustainable Consumption and…
Invitation to participate in the online consultation “Linking SDGs to LCA”
In the Initiative’s project ‘Linking the UN Sustainable Development Goals to life cycle impact pathway frameworks’, LCA 2.-0 Consultants and PRé Sustainability aim to create a methodology to link the…
Business Case for Life Cycle Thinking: publication launched
The Business Case for Life Cycle Thinking is a compilation of success stories from diverse businesses the world over, illustrating the important role that life cycle thinking (LCT) has played in…
LCA Award: news from Africa, Latin America and Asia
An LCA Awards scheme was launched in 2017 by the Life cycle Initiative to support selected practical projects in implementing Life Cycle approaches. This activity leveraged support from LCA experts…
The Young Champions of the Earth 2019 Awards
We call all life cycle minded young champions out there to apply for the Young Champions of the Earth 2019 awards! Please share your ideas by applying by 31 March…
Product Environmental Footprint Training during SETAC Helsinki
The European Commission, in collaboration with UN Environment and the Life Cycle Initiative, is organizing a free training for LCA practitioners of the PEF/OEF rules on Sunday 26 May in…
Update on National Hotspot Analysis project
The Life Cycle Initiative is pleased to announce the launch of the Hotspot Analysis Tool for Sustainable Consumption and Production (the SCP-HAT). Together with the One Planet Network and the…
Life Cycle Initiative gears up for 4th Session of the UN Environment Assembly
(11-15 March 2019, Nairobi, Kenya) Karibu Nairobi katika kongamano la Umoja wa Kimataifa ya Mazingira 2019! (Welcome to Nairobi and to the 2019 UN Environment Assembly!) The Life Cycle Initiative…
Win participation in the CILCA 2019 conference
The Life Cycle Initiative is excited to announce a competition to win participation in the CILCA 2019 conference. Winning is easy! All you have to do is to complete the e-learning module…
Looking back on 2018, looking forward to 2019
The Life Cycle Initiative has concluded another busy and fruitful year. During 2018, the Initiative continued implementing its strategy by launching projects in each of three programme areas. We delivered a…
News 2018
From our network: LCA-related job postings in Portugal
The Center for Industrial Ecology at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, is seeking candidates for the following positions: – Post-doctoral Research Associate to work on the project “T4ENERTEC: Tools for supporting the…
New Project: Linking the UN Sustainable Development Goals to life cycle impact pathway frameworks
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 accompanying targets, with 230 indicators so far. Two years after their publication, these goals are still…
Revision of the Social LCA Guidelines: workshop outcomes
The S-LCA Guidelines revision process passed a new milestone with its first face-to-face workshop that took place in Pescara, Italy, on September 12-14th, 2018. The workshop brought together 44 participants…
Life Cycle Initiative joins over 250 global organisations to support New Plastics Economy
The Life Cycle Initiative Secretariat, on behalf of its members and with approval of the Steering Committee, has joined over 250 other global organisations and companies in the New Plastics…
We’re recruiting an Intern for a 6-month post in our Paris office
The Life Cycle Initiative is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for a 6-month internship post in our Paris offices. More information: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=103831 Application deadline is October 2,…
September/October LC Net newsletter is out!
In this edition of LC Net: LC NET FOCUS: Life Cycle Initiative members to gather for 2nd virtual General Assembly on 27 September 2018: Steering Committee Election process and deadlines…
LCA Success Story: Natura – How Life Cycle Thinking is Boosting a Brazilian Cosmetics Firm
How Life Cycle Thinking is Boosting a Brazilian Cosmetics Firm For Brazil’s NATURA Cosméticos, sustainability has been at the centre of its business strategy for more than four decades –…
Updating the Social LCA Guidelines
Towards an updated Guidelines for Social LCA – Scale up and road testing of Social LCA & Social Organizational LCA (S-LCA & SOLCA) Over the past decade and since the…
Life cycle approaches to be a focus area at UNEA4
Towards the 4th UN Environment Assembly | March 2019 | Nairobi, Kenya The Life Cycle Initiative is preparing for the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA4) that will…
September 27: 2nd General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative membership
Life Cycle Initiative members to gather for 2nd virtual General Assembly 11:30 – 15:00 (GMT+2, Paris time) On September 27, 2018, the Life Cycle Initiative will hold its second online…
July-August Edition of LC Net is out!
In the July-August 2018 Edition of the LC Net: Members: Mark your calendars for the 2nd General Assembly of the Life Cycle Initiative on 27 September 2018 Pellston Workshop® on Global Guidance…
Launch of Uganda LCA Network
Congratulations and best wishes for success to the new Uganda LCA Network! The Life Cycle Initiative has been providing support and advice in various countries to set up LCA networks for…
Feedback from Brazilian Conference on Life Cycle Management (GCV2018)
June 17–20, 2018 • Brasilia, Brazil: The 6th edition of the Brazilian Conference on Life Cycle Management was held from June 17 to 20, 2018, in Brasília, organized by the…
Second Life Cycle Initiative General Assembly to be held on 27 September 2018
General Assembly details Date: 27 September 2018 Time: 11:30 CEST Place: online On 27th September 2018, 11:30-15:00 (CEST), the Life Cycle Initiative will host its second online General Assembly, open…
Call for proposals: Development of National LCA Database Roadmaps and further development of the Technical Helpdesk for National LCA Databases
Call for proposals: Development of National LCA Database Roadmaps, including further development of the Technical Helpdesk for National LCA Databases Desired final outcome The desired final outcome is to develop...
Call for proposals: Development of e-learning modules on Life Cycle Thinking application
Call for proposals: Development of e-learning modules on the application of Life Cycle Thinking in policy and business decision-making Desired final outcome The desired final outcome is to develop two e-learning...
Pellston Workshop works towards Volume 2 of Global Guidance for LCIA Indicators
24 to 29 June 2018, Parador El Saler, Valencia, Spain Workshop Summary report Following the first recommendations on indicators for climate change, human health impacts due to fine particles, impacts…
Life Cycle Initiative publishes 2017 Activity Report
2017 has been particularly exciting and eventful at the Life Cycle Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the Initiative)! The Initiative concluded its Phase 3 (2012-2017) and launched a new strategy,…
Updates on two REAL pilot projects from the Asia Pacific
Two pilot projects are making great progress under the project REAL, funded by the European Commission. 1) Mobile App for reducing food waste Lookie Waste, the mobile-based application focuses on…
Young Champions of the Earth 2018 Awards
The Young Champions of the Earth 2018 Awards We call all life cycle minded young champions out there to apply for the Young Champions of the Earth 2018 awards! Please...
GLAM project Pellston Workshop
GLAM project, and Pellston Workshop® on Life Cycle Impact Indicators, Part 2 As a legacy of the Initiative’s phase 3, the project “Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators…
Great momentum gained for developing systemic solutions to marine plastics
Great momentum gained for developing systemic solutions to marine plastics Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN Environment hosted a successful expert workshop in Paris (France) in February, under…
International Forum LCA Cooperation and GLAD platform
6th meeting of the International Forum on LCA Cooperation, and Launch event of the GLAD platform • April 26-27 2018 • Brussels, Belgium UN Environment, in collaboration with and through…
Call for proposals: Mapping the textile value chain
We are pleased to announce that UN Environment is issuing a call for proposals to develop a report on mapping the textile value chain. The report should identify key hotspots…
2017: Looking back and moving forward
2017 has been particularly exciting and eventful here at the Life Cycle Initiative! We concluded Phase 3 (2012-2017) and launched our new strategy, with the main objective to scale up…