Reports

Learn more about Life Cycle Thinking by consulting the publications below, displayed in order of publication year.

2022

2021

2019

2017 and earlier

Road testing organizational life cycle assessment around the world: Applications, experiences and lessons learnedPublished 09.2017.
Road testing organizational life cycle assessment around the world: Applications, experiences and lessons learned
(2017, English, 97 pages)
Hotspots Analysis: An overarching methodologial framework and guidance for product and sector level applicationPre-publication draft version. Published 04.2017.
Hotspots Analysis: An overarching methodological framework and guidance for product and sector level application
(2017, English, 82 pages)
Guidance for communicating hotspots: The effective use of sustainability information to drive action and improve performancePublished 04.2017.
Guidance for communicating hotspots: The effective use of sustainability information to drive action and improve performance
(2017, English, 30 ppt slides)
Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators: Volume 1Published 12.2016.
Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Indicators: Volume 1
(2016, English, 165 pages)
Opportunities for National Life Cycle Network Creation and Expansion Around the WorldPublished 4.10.2016
Opportunities for National Life Cycle Network Creation and Expansion Around the World
(2016, English, 77 pages)Annexes to the main publication
(2016, English, 58 pages)
Product Sustainability InformationPublished 29.07.2015
Product Sustainability Information
(2015, English, 56 pages)
Guidance on Organizational Life Cycle AssessmentPublished 03.05.2015
Guidance on Organizational Life Cycle Assessment
(2015, English, 148 pages)
More information about the Flagship activity and latest news updates.
Hotspots Analysis: mapping of existing methodologies, tools and guidance and initial recommendations for the development of global guidancePublished 8.12.2014
Hotspots Analysis: mapping of existing methodologies, tools and guidance and initial recommendations for the development of global guidance
(2014, English, 179 pages)
More information about the Flagship activity and news updates.
Life Cycle Thinking in Latin AmericaPublished 6.12.2014
Life Cycle Thinking in Latin America
(2014, English, 16 pages)
An Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment in Packaging for Food and Beverage ApplicationsPublished 12.11.2013
An Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment in Packaging for Food and Beverage Applications
(2013, English, 81 pages)
More on the publication launch in Rome.
Pre-publication version: S-LCA Methodological SheetsPublished 12.11.2013 (Pre-publication version)
The Methodological Sheets for Sub-Categories in Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA)
(2013, English, 144 pages)
Related links: More about S-LCA
Related publications: Guidelines for Social LCA of Products: English | Français | Dutch
(2009, 104 pages)
Greening The Economy Through Life Cycle Thinking
(2012, English, 60 pages)
This report provides an overview of the state of life cycle approaches and describes the work the Initiative has done to advance the topic. A good background on Life Cycle Thinking, in general.
Towards a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
(2011, English, 86 pages)
Presents the arguments for a triple-bottom-line approach to LCA and gives examples of possible applications of a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment.
Global Guidance Principles for LCA Databases: A basis for greener processes and products Peer Review by: Question | Page
(2011, English, 160 pages)
More information about the Flagship activity and latest news updates
Guidelines for Social LCA of Products: English | Français | Dutch
(2009, 104 pages)
An overview and guidelines for application of LCA to social aspects of the product cycle and supply chain.
LCM: How business uses it to decrease footprint, create opportunities and make value chains more sustainable
(2009, English, 48 pages)
Guidance on how to move from current practice to recommended practice in Life Cycle Impact Assessment
(2008, English, 33 pages)
Communication of Life Cycle Information in the Building and Energy Sectors
(2008, English, 93 pages)
Life Cycle Management: a Business Guide to Sustainability
(2007, English, 52 pages)
Background Report for a UNEP Guide to Life Cycle Management
(2006, English, 108 pages)
Life Cycle Approaches: the road from analysis to practice
(2005, English, 89 pages)
Why Take a Life Cycle Approach Chinese | English |Español | Français | Japanese (2004, 28 pages)
Report of the LCM Definition Study Peer Review (2003, English, 79 pages)
Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods (2003, English, 25 pages)
Explanation | Summary
Evaluation of Environmental Impacts in Life Cycle Assessment (2003, English, 108 pages)