Directory of Life Cycle Assessment Tools -...

2011 Directory of Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment Tools

Assembled by Darcy Hitchcock, Publications Program Manager, ISSP, Rita Schenk, ACLCA, & Tamara Gordy, Bainbridge Graduate Institute

2 2011 Directory of Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment Tools

Cover image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

© Copyright 2011 International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Published in Portland, OR.

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-257-06001-6

2011 Directory of Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment Tools 3

Table of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................4

Reporting Tool Cross-‐Reference .........................................................................................................8

Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings .............................................................................................14

CMCLA .............................................................................................................................................18

COMPASS.........................................................................................................................................21

eVerdEE ...........................................................................................................................................26

GaBi 4.4............................................................................................................................................28

Global Emissions Model for Integrated Systems (GEMIS)..................................................................36

openLCA...........................................................................................................................................40

REGIS 2.3 – Corporate Ecoperformance Software .............................................................................44

SavvyPack® .......................................................................................................................................47

Sustainable Minds®...........................................................................................................................49

Umberto ..........................................................................................................................................52

Life Cycle Assessment Tool Input Form.............................................................................................54


Introduction

Purpose of this guide

Sustainability is a fast growing and fast changing field. Part of ISSP’s mission is to stay on top of new developments and emerging tools and technologies to make sure professionals have the best possible resources to support their work. This directory compiles tools that help organizations plan and report on their life cycle assessment efforts.

Lifecycle assessment analysis can help organizations and product designers evaluate the upstream and downstream impacts associated with operations and products. Reliable knowledge can help organizations measure existing impacts, and evaluate and choose among impacts associated with various design, materials, manufacturing, transportation, and operational scenarios.

Types of reporting tools included in this directory

The focus of this guide is on tools that help organizations perform, track and report sustainability life cycle assessment data. Some of the tools provide a broad set of metrics—social, environmental, and economic—while others focus on a narrow area such as environmental impact. Some tools are designed for use in all sectors of the economy, while others are intended to analyze a specific area such as packaging or construction. The field is changing quickly, and we erred on the side of including tools rather than excluding tools.

In addition to the tools included in this guide, some organizations did not respond to our request. We provide that list in the sidebar, in case you want to investigate them as well.

Methodology

ISSP sent out requests, asking people who had reporting tools or might know others who did. We sent the owners of the tools an input form. Their forms are then assembled essentially verbatim in this guide in alphabetical order by the tool name. Part of the input form included information for a cross-reference table (see next chapter) so that we could compare and contrast the tools at a glance. We’d like to thank Rita Schenk with the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment for her help identifying the tools and designing the questionnaire.

How to use this guide

Start with the Reporting Tool Cross-Reference table in the next chapter. This set of tables provides an overview of each of the tools included in this guide. You might highlight the rows representing the features or criteria important to you. Then see if you can find tools that have X’s in those rows, indicating they meet those criteria. Then find the more detailed information about the tools that best meet your criteria in the directory.


Each tool provides the following information:

• Application: What industry, product, or geographical area is covered by this tool? • Type of Tool: Is this a modeling tool or a database? • Tool Features: What can people do with the tool (ie, does it import and export data and have

graphics capability, does it use the matrix algebra or substance flow method, does it have security features)?

• Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? What kind of training, manuals, customization, and help support is available?

• Platform: What system is used to run the tool (ie. PC/Windows, Mac, web-based, or mainframe)? • Languages: What languages are available? • Topics Covered: Does the tool address Environmental performance? Social performance?

Economic performance? • Cost: Does acquiring the tool involve an outright purchase or annual license? Is a free demo

available?

Follow the URLs included in each of the descriptions for even more information or to contact the owner of the tools directly.

Criteria

The reporting tool cross-reference compares the tools against the following criteria. Because these charts span several pages, we thought it would be useful to see the criteria on one page first. There are two sets of tables, one for the first set of tools and a second with the remaining tools.


Criteria Descriptor Tool 1 Tool 2

Economy-wide tool

Industry: Specific to an industry (please specify in the right column)

Product type: Specific to a type of product (please specify in the right column)

App

licat

ion

(Fill

in a

ll th

at

appl

y)

Geographic region: Specific to a geographic region (please specify in right column; for example if energy data is only for USA or transportation data is for UK, list the geographic regions where the data are relevant.)

Modeling tool

Typ

e of

to

ol

(che

ck

one

or

both

)

Database (please indicate average age of the data in years in the right column)

Imports/exports easily to spreadsheets and documents

Graphical capability

LCI data uses matrix algebra method

LCI data using substance flow method

Too

l fea

ture

s

Security features to protect user (describe briefly)

Training (indicate workshops (face to face), distance learning and/or self study)

Manual

Design/customization

LCA consulting services

Supp

ort a

vaila

ble

Help line (phone or chat)

PC/Windows

Mac

Web-based

Pla

tfor

m

Mainframe (specify platform in column to the right, eg, operating systems like UNIX,/Linux and/or application/enterprise software like SAS, SAP, etc.)

English

Lan

guag

es

Others (specify the languages available)

Environmental performance

Social performance

Top

ics

cove

red

(che

ck o

r lis

t in

righ

t co

lum

n)

Economical performance

Out-right purchase (first cost and annual fees if any)

Annual license (specify categories and costs, eg, is there a special license for educators)

Free demo available

Cos

t (en

ter

the

fiel

ds th

at a

pply

to

you

r to

ol)

Other (please explain in column to right if appropriate)


Fine print

Completeness: This is inevitably not an exhaustive list of all sustainability life cycle assessment tools that met our criteria. If you are aware of other tools that should be included in future directories, please email [email protected] with the name of the tool and the appropriate contact at the host organization. If you have such a tool, please see the input form in the Appendix.

Accuracy and endorsement: Because most of the material in this directory was provided by the owners of the tools, ISSP cannot take responsibility for accuracy. Similarly, inclusion in this directory should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Non-‐Responses

The following organizations did not respond to ISSP’s request for information. We include them here in case they might have a tool that would meet your needs.

PRODUCT URL

ASSET

http://www.alcanpackaging.com/Commitments/ASSETTM-Sustainability-Life-Cycle-Assessment Bemis-formerly Alcan. (unable to locate; status uncertain)

BEES http://www.nist.gov/el/economics/BEESSoftware.cfm Boustead http://www.boustead-consulting.co.uk/news.htm

ECODESIGN X-CHANGE http://www.ecodis.org/index.html%3Fpage_name=lifecycle.html Eco-It http://www.pre.nl/eco-it/default.htm EcoSpold v2 http://www.ecoinvent.org/ecoinvent-v3/ecospold-v2/ EIO-LCA http://www.eiolca.net/ Green-e https://www.green-e.ch/green-e_v2_demo/index.php GREET Model http://greet.es.anl.gov/ IDEMAT http://www.idemat.nl/

KCL-ECO 4.0 http://www.kcl.fi/page.php?page_id=75 (unable to locate; status uncertain)

LCAPIX http://www.kmlmtd.com/index.htm Llamasoft http://www.llamasoft.com/default.aspx

PIQET http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=wvv98vlw2m8p;STATUS=A?QRY=piqet&STYPE=ENTIRE

SimaPro http://www.pre.nl/simapro/ TEAM https://www.ecobilan.com/uk_team.php


Reporting Tool Cross-Reference

Tools 1 -‐ 5

Criteria Descriptor Athena Impact Estimator for

Buildings

CMLCA COMPASS® (Comparative

Packaging Assessment)

GaBi 4.4 Life Cycle Engineering

Software

GEMIS

Economy-wide tool No X No X X


Construction Packaging Industries include, but are not limited to

Aerospace, Automotive,

Banking, Building & Construction, Chemicals & Petroleum,

Consumer Goods, Education,

Electronics, Energy & Utilities, Financial

Services, Food & Agriculture,

Government, Healthcare & Life

Sciences, Insurance, IT, Metals & Mining, and Transportation

& Logistics

Energy, construction, food,

transport


Buildings Packaging All product types electricity, heat, transport fuels, construction

materials, feed & food, textiles

App

licat

ion


North America US, Canada, Europe Worldwide.

Regionally specific and custom datasets

available

Individual EU countries + selected other OECD (AU, CA, CH, JP, MX,

NO, US) plus selected developing countries (e.g., AR, BR, CN, ID, IN, MO, TH, ZA)

Modeling tool X X X X X

Typ

e of

tool


Avg age of data = _5_ years

NA Average age of data = 5 years, however is valid through 2012

Avg age of data = 1-5 years

Too

l fea

ture

s


X X X X

Interactive and static charts can also be created within the software without

need for conversion.

X



Buildings




Software

GEMIS

Graphical capability X X Sankey diagrams

Charts

X


X


X X X X


X (possibility to “lock” data against

unintentional change)

SSL secure accounts Access rights Core data and data entries of registered

users are write-protected


Workshops

Distance learning,

Self study

Tutorial; Training may be organized

X Workshops

Distance learning,

Self study

Modeling & Project Support Sessions

Workshops

Self-study “tours”

Manual X X X X

Design/customization X X


X X X X Supp

ort a

vaila

ble


Email Phone

Email

PC/Windows X X X Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

X

Mac X Via Windows emulator or parallel

platform

Web-based X GaBi Reader

Pla

tfor

m


English X X X X X

Lan

guag

es


German, Japanese, Danish, Taiwanese,

Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Italian,

Thai, French

Czech, French, German, Spanish


X X X X X

Social performance X X Employment

Top

ics

cove

red

Economical X X X



Buildings




Software

GEMIS

performance


$750 outright Free $1000/yr for 5 seats for SPC member

companies; $2000/yr for 5 seats for non-

SPC member companies;

Contact GaBi Representative

gabi@pe-

international.com


No license, but $375 educational price

Free X No

Free demo available X X X X

Cos

t


public domain (free of charge)


Tools 6 – 11

Criteria Descriptor openLCA REGIS SavvyPack® System

Sustainable Minds Umberto

Economy-wide tool X X (no restriction for size or

activities/products/processes)

X X X


Packaging – Raw materials to Retail

Consumer Electronics Household Appliances

Toys & Games Apparel

Outdoor Gear & Equipment Housewares

Medical & Scientific Furniture

Transportation Industrial Equipment

Building Products Packaging


App

licat

ion


Unlimited EcoInvent data base (international)

Global Currently US based, will expand to Europe and Australia

Modeling tool X X X X X

Typ

e of

tool


(depends on the imported data)

Actual EcoInvent data base

Avg age of data = one month

Avg age of data = 8 years


X X X X X

Graphical capability X X X X X

Too

l fea

ture

s


X Optional



X X Optional


Consistency checks for calculations and before user delete

action

Hardlock Most secure database and facility

Standard internet security protocols

Password


Workshops

Online courses

X all All Workshops

Self-study handbook

Online training

Manual X Integrated in Help-file

X X X

Design/customization X X X X X


X X X X X

Supp

ort a

vaila

ble


X X X X X

PC/Windows X X X X

Mac X X

Web-based Version in development

X X

Pla

tfor

m


Linux

English X X X X X

Lan

guag

es Others (specify the

languages available) German, other

languages in preparation

German, Japanese and Spanish


X X X X X

Social performance X

Top

ics

cove

red


X X X X

Cos

t


EUR 4’800.00 (including

EcoInvent license fee of EUR 1’800.00)

Per single user license*

Educational license on request

Depends



X Annual subscription

Professional

• $700 Single user

• $1200 Mult-user 2

• $2500 Multi-user 5

• Private SaaS, Custom & Proprietary Data – $ available on request

Education

• $350 Educator • $10/mo

Student • Quantity

Discount Education Program; starts @ 50 student packages

No annual costs. There is a special

license for educators

Free demo available X X X


Update and Support contract optional


Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute

Type of tool (put an X in one or both):

X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.athenasmi.org

Description provided by: Grant Finlayson, [email protected]

Details. What does this tool do?

The Impact Estimator is a whole building, environmental life cycle based decision support tool for use by building design teams at the conceptual design stage of a project. The tool focuses on the conceptual stage because this is when key decisions are first made about the shape and material make-up of a building’s structure and envelope. The Impact Estimator takes comprehensive life cycle inventory information and makes it easily accessible so the team can make more holistic and informed environmental decisions about the design and material make-up of a proposed building. The model provides a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) profile for a whole building over a user-selected service life. The inventory results comprise a long list of highly speciated flows from and to nature in the form of energy and raw material flows as well as emissions to air, water and land, using a proprietary database.

Modeling Features. What can people do with the tool?

The Impact Estimator uses the US EPA TRACI impact assessment model.

• It is not possible to specify new impact or characterization factors. • No normalization or weighting methods are included • Users can compare the results of several building designs to each other in order to assess their

relative impacts


Database Features. What can people do with the tool? • Most data have been updated since 2005, although some data from the late 1990s and early 2000s • The vast majority of our data has been developed in house in cooperation with various trade

associations and provides industry wide representative data from different manufacturers, plants and regions across North America

• Data sets apply to Canada and the United States, and are regionalized within North America to reflect different energy grids and supply sources.

• It is not possible to add new data • Allocation factors are fixed and cannot be modified

Benefits/Distinguishing Characteristics: What’s special about this tool (as compared to others)?

• As far as we know, it is the only tool that can model a whole building and provide the individual and cumulative environmental effects of all component assemblies in that building, for each life cycle stage in its life expectancy


Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool?

The tool is designed so that users with a minimal knowledge of construction or design can create a building model. Assemblies are entered as overall sizes and load factors, and the software performs structural calculations to determine a bill of materials for the model. The following is an example of an input form for a wood stud wall, and a bill of materials.


Support is available, and training sessions can be arranged on a case by case basis. Earthshift.com also includes Impact Estimator training as part of an Introduction to LCA course.

Instructional manual: Is there a companion book or instruction manual that helps people use the tool?

There is an extensive Help file in the tool, with overviews as well as specific instructions for individual assemblies. There is also an overview document that spells out the philosophy of the tool and its global assumptions.


CMCLA

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University


X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.cmlca.eu/

Description provided by: Reinout Heijungs, [email protected]


CMLCA is a software tool that supports the calculation of:

• life cycle assessment (LCA), including social life cycle assessment (SLCA) and life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA)

• input-output analysis (IOA), including environmental input-output analysis (EIOA) • life cycle costing (LCC) and eco-efficiency analysis (E/E) • hybrid LCA, combining LCA and EIOA

CMLCA is an abbreviation of Chain Management by Life Cycle Assessment. It is a software tool that is intended to support the technical steps of the tools described. It does not support the procedural aspects, like peer review, involvement of stakeholders, quality assurance and usefulness of the analysis for the decision at stake. The program assumes that the user is aware of the basic principles of LCA, IOA, etc.

CMLCA is just one of the many software tools that is available for the stated purposes. However, its philosophy is probably somewhat different. CMLCA does not provide a flexible user interface. Exchange of data with other programs is less extensive than with some other programs. There is only a small choice in


graphical output, and the graphs are not 'fancy': no 3-D bars with shadow, just straight bar charts. There is no helpdesk. It may contain programming errors.

On the other hand, it is developed with the principles of LCA, IOA, etc. in mind, so that it is quite accurate and up-to-date as to methodological details. It is, for example, fully based on matrix algebra, although the user may be unaware of that whilst using the program. This implies that process trees with a recursive flow structures (steel production needing coal and coal production needing steel), provide no computational problems and are exactly solved. Moreover, the program is very flexible in dealing with allocation of multiple processes. In contrast with some other programs, such processes need not be allocated prior to their entry in the database, and the allocation method (substitution, partitioning, or no allocation at all) may be defined for each individual unit process. The program also supports fully hybrid inventories, consisting of process-based and IO-based data. It is rich in its analytical possibilities.

The program will continue to develop, in a progressive way such that all present features will remain available, and that data saved with the present version may be retrieved in future versions. CML, the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Leiden University, has ever since the conception of LCA played a prominent role in developing LCA, and it is still at the forefront of activity, both in its methodological advances, and in its standardization and progress towards maturity. CMLCA will follow these developments, and sometimes it will even lead these.

CMLCA is scientific software, in two senses:

• CMLCA has been developed at a university that has played an important role in LCA for more than 20 years.

• CMLCA has been designed with students and scientists as an important target group.

CMLCA, finally, is freely downloadable and need not be installed.

Modeling Features: What can people do with the tool?

CMLCA does not use a pre-cooked impact assessment method. However, you can define or import your own or existing impact assessment methods. Some of these are available as separate downloadable files. Impact assessment includes characterization, normalization, and weighting.


Database Features: What can people do with the tool?

CMLCA does not contain data. You can define or import new or existing data, via several import formats. For instance, data from the US LCI database and from ecoinvent can be imported easily.


CMLCA is freely downloadable. It has been developed with students and scientists in mind, and therefore includes many sophisticated analytical options, rather than fancy graphics. It can also do (E)IOA and hybrid LCA, LCC and eco-efficiency analysis.


Training can be organized on request. Including preparation, think of 2000 euro per day.


There is an extensive help file, which also contains a tutorial. Some demo files are available for download. The more technical parts have been published as articles in scientific journals.


COMPASS

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: GreenBlue/Sustainable Packaging Coalition


__ Database

X Modeling

URL: https://www.design-compass.org/

Description provided by: Minal Mistry, [email protected]


Purpose: COMPASS® (Comparative Packaging Assessment) is online design phase web application that provides comparative environmental profiles of packaging alternatives based on life cycle assessment metrics and design attributes. COMPASS helps packaging designers make more informed material selections and design decisions by providing quick visual guidance on a common set of environmental indicators.


COMPASS provides consistently modeled data sets for USA, Canada and Europe tailored for materials and processes used for packaging to allow reliable apples to apples comparisons of multiple scenarios. In addition, regionalized solid waste modeling provides a waste profile of each scenario to help understand the end of life (EoL) implications of packaging designs. COMPASS was developed by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), a project of the nonprofit institute GreenBlue. The SPC is an industry working group with over 200 members from across the packaging supply chain, many of whom contributed expertise to the development of COMPASS.


Not applicable.


• Rapid scenario testing for packaging using a user built Component Library • Consistent modeling for each material and process included to ensure apples-to-apples comparison

of packaging scenarios • Three regional datasets available: US, Canada, Europe • Models life cycle impacts for manufacture, conversion, distribution and end-of-life phases


• Models solid waste profiles for scenarios specific to the regional recovery data • Life cycle metrics and attributes tracked for primary package, secondary package and packaging

system (combination of primary and secondary) • Identifies material health related substances of concern within cradle-to-gate data


• Full analysis export in Excel format • Export and import of component library to allow sharing • Built via open stakeholder process that included LCA and packaging expertise, academia and

USEPA. • Method and data fully verified independently by industry users


COMPASS features a very easy to learn user interface combined with a component library (reusable components in multiple scenarios) and copy function (for component, package or project), which allows rapid scenario building. Each user account comes with built-in samples designed to demonstrate the key features of the tool. Additional help features include video tutorials that step through each function of the application and comprehensive manuals.

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition periodically presents webinars to demonstrate the functions, answer questions and take feedback for future enhancements.



Yes, comprehensive user manuals with functionalities, glossary and technical information on data are available online. Users can also access LCIA results tables.


eVerdEE

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: ENEA-Italian National Agency for new Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development


X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.ecosmes.net

Description provided by: Patrizia Buttol, [email protected]


eVerdEE is a screening LCA tool. The version currently available is suitable for the manufacturing industry, and a version for agricultural products has already been developed and will be publicly available soon, together with an updated version of the dedicated database.

The tool was developed according to the ISO 14040 series, but simplifications have been adopted concerning some methodological problems (system boundaries definition, choice of elementary flows and indicators/impact categories) and procedural aspects (visualization of the results, user-friendliness of the inventory procedure and availability of a methodological help-on-line). The database includes impact assessment data for common processes (energy, packaging, materials, transport) and for processes obtained from product chain studies, based on detailed LCAs.

Impacts are quantified on the basis of 10 impact categories: consumption of mineral resources, consumption of biomass, consumption of fresh water, consumption of non-renewable energy, consumption of renewable energy, climate change, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical oxidation, ozone layer depletion. As the simplified inventory procedure does not include end-of-life treatment processes, the production of waste during the life cycle of a product is taken into account by using two environmental indicators (the amount of hazardous waste and total waste). The toxicity category is not assessed due to the low representativeness for this category of the reduced number of elementary flows that can be inventoried in eVerdEE. However, a limited number of additional emissions can be recorded as indicators of air and water pollution.


• Due to the simplified approach adopted in eVerdEE, the choice of the impact categories is pre-defined. Users cannot define new impact categories, characterization and normalization methods.

• Weighting methods are not included and cannot be added.

• The characterization factors for the impact categories are based on the CML Impact Assessment Database (2010).

• The normalization factors are calculated in agreement with the scope of eVerdEE and refer to the global level and the year 2000.



• The database includes impact assessment data produced by using the proprietary software DIM (Data Input Manager), which stores data of processes and materials, calculates impact assessment data and allows data documentation based on ISO/TS 14048: 2002, in order to guarantee transparency and quality of the whole database.

• The oldest data refer to the 1990’s and the average age is about 10 years. An update of the database is anticipated in 2011. Data from the ELCD database (http://lca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/lcainfohub/datasetArea.vm), elaborated in agreement with the scope of eVerdEE, will also be included.

• Major sources of data are publicly available reports for the common processes (for examples Plasticseurope and ETH-Zurich reports), and product chain studies, which involve stakeholders, sector-specific technical competencies and peer review by external experts, for the specialized database.

• Geographic reference is currently Western Europe.


• It is an on-line simplified LCA tool, designed for European SMEs and their consultants • It can be used by people who do not have expertise in LCA • Time and resources required for a case study are reduced very much if compared to a complete LCA

study • It is free of charge

Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? What are the associated costs?

An on-line training course is available at www.ecosmes.net. The use of eVerdEE is also supported by on-line instructions.


The methodological tutorial is available for downloading.


GaBi 4.4

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: PE INTERNATIONAL AG


X Database

X Modeling

URL: http://www.gabi-software.com/

Description provided by: Dylan Winbourn, [email protected] and Peter Canepa, [email protected]


GaBi is a world-wide leading, all-in-one software tool for modeling products and systems from a life cycle perspective. Users can build models for any product or system, balance emissions and material and energy inputs and outputs, aggregate results, generate charts, and even create interactive reports.

GaBi 4 software is packaged and sold together with the life cycle database of your choice. Our databases meet a broad range of client needs; we will work with clients to identify the most suitable solution to meet any users requirements. GaBi 4 has a standard set of functionalities, so regardless of the database selected the full range of features is at your disposal. GaBi 4’s visualization approach enables users to construct products and system models in GaBi just as you would sketch them on paper. An intuitive user interface,

drag-and-drop feature, hierarchical database manager and advanced search function allow users to flexibly supplement models with your own data or with data from the database of your choice.

Development of the GaBi life cycle databases began over 20 years ago and continues today with the same momentum and meticulous attention to detail. More than 60 life cycle experts contribute to the development of GaBi databases making PE INTERNATIONAL the largest life cycle data provider worldwide.

With over 4000 ready-to-use LCI profiles within the GaBi professional and extension databases, as well as engineering capabilities to set up customized “data on demand”, major producers from every industry and research field across the globe choose PE INTERNATIONAL as their source of comprehensive, high-quality life cycle data. Even the European Commission’s Joint Research Council relies upon PE INTERNATIONAL’s database expertise to generate the European Life Cycle Database (ELCD) in cooperation with more than 25 industry associations. PE also contributes and supports the development of national database projects in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Malaysia and the United States.

GaBi DfX is a GaBi 4 add-on for compliance and sustainable product development with a view to the end of life phase. If you want to consider different regulations during product design, such as the EU Directives


for end-of-life-vehicles, for waste electrical and electronic equipment, energy consuming products or for the restriction of hazardous substances, then GaBi DfX is your tool.

GaBi Education is the free version of our world-wide leading, all-in-one software tool for modeling products and systems from a life cycle perspective, given to the academic community at no cost. You can build models for any product or system, balance emissions and material and energy inputs and outputs, aggregate results and generate charts. With this in mind, we help students to become engaged with life cycle thinking and support teachers in introducing life cycle thinking in their courses.

GaBi i-Report Creator enables your LCA experts to create ecodesign and decision making tools for your organization. It’s an expert tool for non-experts that empowers more people to make decisions regarding the environmental performance of their products.

GaBi Publisher is an additional feature that allows your LCA experts to publish i-Reports for use in either GaBi reader (desktop) or GaBi reader (web-based). GaBi i-Report creator & publisher allows organizations to build their own fully consistent tool. For example, for carbon footprinting within their organization, they can customize the tool according to their needs, with differing levels of detail and background knowledge.

The complete solution required by a client can also be provided by consultants running GaBi i-Report Creator & Publisher and a GaBi i-Report creator software as a bundle. The web-based version of the GaBi i-Report Reader allows the generation of SaaS solutions which could be used to generate industry-specific solutions at any level of detail.


GaBi 4.4

• The GaBi database content includes all major Impact Assessment methodologies included, such as: TRACI, CML 1996, 2001, and 2007, Ecoindicator 95 and 99, Ecological Scarcity Method (UBP), EDIP, USEtox and others.

• LCIA impact potentials that can be assessed within these methodologies include Global Warming Potential (GWP), Abiotic Depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication, Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity, Human Toxicity, Marine Aquatic Ecotoxicity, Ozone Layer Depletion, Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential, Radioactive Radiation, Terrestric Ecotoxicity, Land Use (as developed through LANCA) and others.

• Users add their own impact methodologies into the GaBi databases at any time. • Users can specify new characterization factors for existing impact methodologies and new impact

methodologies that you have added. • To help with the interpretation of results within the GaBi software, users can switch on

Normalization and Weighting factors, and can even add normalization and weighting factors if desired.


GaBi 4.4 Modeling Screenshot

GaBi DfX

Design for Compliance – DfC

• RoHS – Restriction of Hazardous Substances • EU Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles (2000/53/EC) • Road vehicles recyclability and recoverability (ISO 22628) • WEEE – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment • (2002/96/EC and Amendment 2003/108/EC)

Design for Environment – DfE

Extensive functions for transparently analyzing a product’s life cycle:

• Modeling and presentation of the product structure • Classification of the material composition • Calculation of scenarios and alternatives • Identification of optimization potentials • Conduction of Life Cycle Assessment

Design for Recycling – DfR

Supports recycling-orientated product design with:

• Descriptions and classifications of materials (for VDA 231-106 or ISO 22628) • Descriptions of the recoverability processes • Calculations of road vehicles’ recyclability and recoverability (ISO 22628) • Determination of recycling quotas according to material-specific recycling efficiencies • Comparisons of end-of-life scenarios


Design for Disassembly – DfD

Supports analyses of disassembly processes:

• Modeling of assembly sequences and joining techniques • Descriptions of disassembly sequencing • Definitions of disassembly precedence • Calculation of disassembly costs and duration • Creation of IDIS reports

Database Features. What can people do with the tool? We have a number of datasets available to use for all of our GaBi products. See below for more information on sources of all available datasets.

Professional Database

• The professional database is the standard database provided with the GaBi 4 software. It is the most robust life cycle inventory on the market.

• The GaBi 4 professional database is regularly updated and is derived from industry sources, scientific knowledge, technical literature, and internal patent information creating a solid foundation for assessing your materials, products, services and processes.

• Database content: • Contains a huge amount of PE data, the complete ELCD database as well as data from

Plastics Europe • Includes almost 1000 processes, predominantly cradle-to-gate, as well as parameterized unit

processes to support your modeling: organic and inorganic chemicals metals plastics wood and wood products power generation transport production techniques end of life processes

• All cradle-to-gate processes also contain Life Cycle Working Environment (LCWE) information. • Contains GaBi plans (or systems) for setting-up your own customized power grid mixes. • All standard impact categories are included, such as CML 96/2001/2007, Ecoindicator 95/99,

EDIP 97/2003, TRACI, IO2+, … • 18 quality indicators and 21 weighting factors are also included.

Lean Database

• The lean database is a great entry-level database that contains many of the core processes necessary to begin modeling materials, products, services and processes.

• Database content: • Contains a selection of PE data, the ELCD database as well as data from Plastics Europe • Includes nearly 400 processes, predominantly cradle-to-gate, as well as parameterized unit

processes to support your modeling:


organic and inorganic chemicals metals plastics power generation transport production techniques end of life processes

• All cradle-to-gate processes also contain Life Cycle Working Environment information. • All standard impact categories are included, such as CML 96/2001/2007, Ecoindicator 95/99,

EDIP 97/2003, TRACI, IO2+, … • 18 quality indicators and 21 weighting factors are also included.

Extension Database

• Extension databases are sector-specific data modules intended to meet the specific requirements of individual GaBi users. Supplement your GaBi professional database with a GaBi extension database: • Organic intermediates • Inorganic intermediates • Energy • Steel • Aluminum • Nonferrous metals • Precious metals • Plastics • Coatings • End of Life • Manufacturing processes • Electronics • Renewable raw materials • EcoInvent integrated • Construction materials • Textile finishing • Seat covers • Full U.S. LCI database • Basic U.S. LCI database

US LCI Database

• NREL and its partners created the U.S. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Database to help Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) experts answer their questions about environmental impacts. This database provides a cradle-to-grave accounting of the energy and material flows into and out of the environment that are associated with producing a material, component, or assembly. It is an online storeroom of data collected on commonly used materials, products, and processes.

• The critically reviewed LCI data are consistent with a common research protocol and with international standards. The LCI data support efforts to develop product LCAs, support systems, and LCA tools.

• NREL’s U.S. LCI Database is a collection of unit processes. PE INTERNATIONAL has integrated this database into GaBi format. The result: the GaBi Basic U.S. LCI database - available to all GaBi software users free of charge upon request.


• When you’re used to working with cradle-to-gate datasets, the US LCI Database’s unit processes may present a challenge and for many they are not directly applicable in practical LCA studies. PE INTERNATIONAL has taken these unit processes and modeled them back to the cradle using the U.S. boundary conditions for energy, upstream processes and resources, thereby adding value to the U.S. LCI Database for GaBi users. We’ve also supplemented it with over 300 of our own GaBi U.S. process data. The result: the GaBi Full U.S. LCI database.

EcoInvent Database

• PE INTERNATIONAL is a reseller of the Swiss based EcoInvent LCI database. Experts at PE INTERNATIONAL have integrated the EcoInvent database into the GaBi Professional databases by mapping the flow nomenclature and relevant impact information.

• The EcoInvent database provides access to unit processes as well as to cradle to gate inventories covering different industrial areas.

Publicly Available Databases that can be integrated into GaBi 4.4

• ELCD • World Steel

• 36 LCI datasets describing averaged carbon steel production in Europe and globally • 17 different carbon steel based products as well as an inventory describing the

environmental “value” of carbon steel scrap • International Zinc

• 2 LCI datasets • LCI on global primary zinc production and zinc sheet production • Eurofer • 9 LCI datasets describing averaged stainless steel production in Europe • Products included are coils and quarto plate

• Aluminum Association • European Aluminum Association (EAA)

On average, data factors are around 5 years old. However, all data factors are considered valid through 2012. Regionally specific datasets are available and we are fully equipped to develop any additional custom regionalized datasets drawing on our extensive library of data. Users can add data into the GaBi databases at any time, through the GaBi 4 Software Application. Within GaBi datasets, allocation is fixed. A user cannot modify the allocation methodology.

However, Standard and Extended allocation can be used within GaBi. Allocation can be necessary if two or more outputs occur which are marked with a recoverable material cross. The extended allocation allows you to expand beyond the standard allocation rules, through the GaBi 4 Software Application.


• The modular architecture of GaBi 4.4 makes the system flexible and transparent. Its engineering approach to modeling enables you to structure your systems in GaBi 4.4 to closely reflect the process flow structure of your real-life system.


• GaBi 4.4 software functionality is user-friendly and comprehensive. It covers modeling of physical process chains using a Sankey diagram editor, parameterized modeling, advanced LCI results analysis (including weak point analysis) and comprehensive analysis functions such as parameter variation, scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo analysis.

• High-quality life cycle inventory information based on industry collaborations and technical literature. They are generated and maintained by PE INTERNATIONAL in cooperation with LBP University of Stuttgart. With the GaBi Professional database and 17 GaBi Extension Databases, you have access to over 2,500 fully-documented life cycle datasets which are all fully consistent with one another in terms of their boundary conditions. Datasets from the European Union’s ELCD database and other publicly available databases are also included. Our wealth of databases includes:

Organic chemicals Inorganic chemicals Energy Steel Aluminum Non-ferrous metals Precious metals Plastics Coatings End-of-Life Manufacturing Electronics Renewable Raw

Materials EcoInvent, Integrated Construction Materials Textiles U.S. LCI database • Data-on-Demand, for more specialized data requests. The combination of PE

INTERNATION-AL’s long standing LCA expertise, our collaborations with industry and our direct access to recent scientific skills and substantial internal patent and technical literature puts us in the position to supply you with any dataset, e.g., for a new, innovative material or a country-specific technological process. This will be fully consistent with your other GaBi databases.

• EcoInvent Database― standard or integrated. We also offer the Swiss EcoInvent database – a standard version to be used stand-alone with the GaBi 4 software, or an integrated version that has had its flow nomenclature matched to the GaBi flows and is therefore compatible with other GaBi databases.

• Other LCA software programs allow users to use freely available databases together with the EcoInvent database. Users can easily mix data from these databases even though there may be system boundary differences. Because of this, database consistency is seen as a significant strength of the GaBi databases.

• Other LCA software programs seem to offer a way of doing LCA modeling (evident by the structure and use of ISO terminology), but the Sankey model is set and cannot be changed as it can in GaBi. Overall, GaBi provides modeling flexibility and an easy drag-and-drop user interface.



GaBi 4 Software Platform Training:

GaBi training sessions are an excellent way to quickly and efficiently learn the capabilities, functionalities, and tricks of using the software. PE INTERNATIONAL offers a range of training sessions on the GaBi Software Platform Tools. Training can be conducted at your location, our offices, or via web conference. Training sessions can be tailored to meet your needs, and although we have standard training materials, our training plans are flexible and will be customized to fit your solution.

Contact your GaBi Team representative at [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

GaBi Learning Centre (free for GaBi users)

The GaBi Learning Centre is a web portal that allows you to access learning materials, including user handbooks and video tutorials, developed for all GaBi users. These materials are designed to help users get started using the GaBi software to conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

GaBi user forum (free for GaBi users)

The GaBi user forum is an online community of GaBi users where people can share information on data, methodologies, and any other questions they may have regarding GaBi. This is also a place where users can connect with one another.

GaBi Tutorials- Paper Clip Example

Perfectly suited to first time users of GaBi, this is a tutorial located within the GaBi Learning Centre that introduces the concept of Life Cycle Assessment as well as how to conduct an LCA study using the GaBi software. In this tutorial we cover some theory about LCA and apply it to the standard functions of GaBi. This is a great way to educate new users to GaBi.


PE INTERNATIONAL provides all users with an extensive manual that details all information on the use of all GaBi tools.


Global Emissions Model for Integrated Systems (GEMIS)

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: Oeko-Institut (Institute for applied ecology)


X Database

X Modeling

URL: http://www.gemis.de and http://www.oeko.de/service/gemis

Description provided by: Uwe R. Fritsche, [email protected]


GEMIS is both a database and a life-cycle/material flow model. It is used world-wide to compute environmental, cost and employment effects of energy, material, and transport systems, or any combination of those, taking into account their interconnections. GEMIS is in the public domain, i.e. it is available free of charge.


GEMIS calculates “cradle-to-grave” energy and material flows, and associated transport needs, and - based on that – the following effects:

• resource use (energy, raw materials, land) • GHG emissions • air emission • residues and wastes • water effluent parameters • costs (investment and operating) • employment (direct and indirect) • GHG emissions are reported individually, but also aggregated into CO2 equivalents based on GWP

which can be selected from the database (for various years and time horizons). • Air emissions (SO2, NOx, CO, H2S, HCl, HF, NMVOC and particulates) are reported individually,

but also aggregated into SO2 equivalents (based on AP), and TOPP equivalents (based on EEA factors).

• Water emissions (N, P, AOX, BOD, COD) are reported without aggregation. • Primary energy use (resources) is reported individually, but also aggregated into cumulative energy

requirements (CER) and cumulative energy use (CEU). • Raw materials use (resources) is reported individually, but also aggregated into total materials use. • Land use is reported without further specification. • GHG and air emissions are further aggregated into “external costs” using specific cost factors based

on damage and emission control costs stored in the GEMIS database. • Costs are calculated from investment, operating and variable (input) costs, taking into account

interest rates for capital (stored in the GEMIS database).


• Employment is calculated from direct employment data of unit processes, and indirect employment is calculated from sectoral input-output tables reflecting employment intensity in terms of jobs/million € stored in the GEMIS database.

Users can define and run scenarios which consist of any combination of demands for energy (e.g. electricity, heat), transport (persons and freight), and materials (e.g. food, building materials), and an associated selection of supply processes.

Results of those scenarios can be broken down into the individual contribution per unit process for each effect category (e.g. CO2, direct employment, residues, land use). A data quality indicator and the location of each unit process are shown in parallel.

GEMIS can determine also tradeoffs between paired results, e.g. CO2 emissions vs. costs.

A simple graphics function is implemented, and result tables can be exported to other applications.

Database Features. What can people do with the tool?

The GEMIS database offers more than 10,000 unit processes for energy, materials and transport and the respective life-cycles for various countries (e.g. EU countries, US, China, India, Russia, South Africa) and years (e.g. 2000, 2005, 2010, plus - for EU countries - selected scenario data for 2020 and 2030).

The database is continuously updated and extended.

Data sources are UNFCCC, EEA and IEA data, various LCA and MFA studies, and LCA databases such as EcoInvent.

GEMIS users can copy existing data to create own unit process, products and scenarios as well as source records (e.g. literature citation).



• GEMIS can switch between calculations based on lower and higher heating values (for energy and transport systems)

• GEMIS users can select which allocation method to apply (e.g., energy, mass, price, crediting) • GEMIS users can select modeling scope (e.g. including materials for construction, take into account

transports, or waste treatment etc.) • GEMIS is one of the very few public domain LCA/MFA tools, and exists for more than 20 years. It

can be run on any MS-Windows PC or notebook. • Selected data from GEMIS are available in a internet database of the German Environment Agency:

www.probas.umweltbundesamt.de


As GEMIS can be downloaded and used free of charge, and there are “tours” available in PDF format which explain key model features and applications. Furthermore, introduction courses are offered (subject to charge).


See above.


openLCA

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: GreenDeltaTC GmbH, www.greendeltatc.com


__ Database

X Modeling

URL: www.openlca.org

Description provided by: Andreas Ciroth, [email protected]


openLCA is a flexible, modern, and user friendly open source software for life cycle assessments, footprints, and sustainability assessments. It provides rich modeling and analysis features, as for instance parameters of processes on different level, graphical modeling, an “auto-complete” function for life cycle systems, a Sankey diagram for visual analysis of the life cycle, or contribution analysis for processes and flows. It is able to calculate loops. In addition, openLCA provides import and export possibilities for common LCA data formats today. The application is implemented in Eclipse, as Rich Client Platform, offering high modularity. Additional modules and extensions may be added, also by third parties as the source code is freely accessible.

Modeling Features. What can people do with the tool? • Impact assessment methods can be created from scratch or existing methods can be modified

adding new categories or flows and defining new characterization, normalization, or weighting factors. The complete EcoInvent database can be imported, and the impact assessment models provided with EcoInvent are then available in openLCA.

• New impact categories can be specified, and new normalization methods can be added

• Weighting methods can be added as well and can also be imported.


Graph of a product system – center

Graph of a product system – fully extended; the outline on the right is used to select and find processes


Database Features. What can people do with the tool? • openLCA comes with an empty database, but all data in EcoSpold01 or ILCD format can be

imported as for instance EcoInvent or ELCD. Further, it is possible to add new data: Units, unit groups, flows, or processes can be created in an easy way.

• openLCA provides three allocation methods that can be set individually for each process or equally for a complete product system, upon calculation (independent of settings on process level): physical allocation (mass, energy), economic allocation, causal allocation (which means individual factors for each flow are possible). All these can be selected for a process, and modified.

Contribution analysis


• openLCA is freely available

• the source code is publicly accessible

• the application is programmed in Java and is thus very modern and flexible

• it is available for MAC, Linux, and Windows and useable in a client server or a stand-alone environment

• openLCA is easy to use and at the same time very powerful

• the software allows the modeling of simple product systems but also of very complex systems with more than 2000 processes


Sankey diagram with Sankey diagram option settings dialogue


GreenDeltaTC provides training for openLCA in the form of workshops, online sessions, or in-house trainings. The costs depend on type of training and number of participants.

GreenDeltaTC offers data maintenance and software service and support contracts, at a price of 820 € / year for each, or 1200 € / year for both. These maintenance and service contracts are recommended but not necessary to run openLCA.


openLCA contains a comprehensive help which is also available on the openLCA website. In addition, several guiding documents, manuals, and example case studies that can be imported in openLCA have been published and are available at a dedicated website, www.openlca.org. In addition, GreenDeltaTC launched a freely available user forum for openLCA for quick and uncomplicated help.


REGIS 2.3 – Corporate Ecoperformance Software

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: sinum AG Switzerland


X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.sinum.com/en/products/software/

Description provided by: [email protected]


REGIS was developed in 1993, at that time as first software for the measuring and controlling of corporate ecoperformance world-wide. Provided with the most actual EcoInvent database and with a comprehensive modeling functionality it is a proven tool to measure, control and communicate credibly your ecoperformance. With REGIS, you can use comprehensive corporate eco-balances in accordance with tried-and-tested standards in a way offering both flexibility and simplicity, whether you are a seasoned professional or a novice user. Very different users are witness of the missing application limitation to specific industries, products or processes or size. NEWS: At the moment we are reengineering the actual REGIS version towards an enhanced web-based application.


REGIS enables you to:

• measure and evaluate your EcoPerformance • control, reduce and optimize your material, energy and cost flows • acquire economical and ecological facts • establish fundamentals for decisions and for your communication • retain know how independent from persons • use most up to date methods and datasets • gain more benefit from already collected data • implement a corporation-wide environmental information system • install a corporation-wide environmental reporting • consolidate units, branches, country organizations


Modeling (assessment methods)

• Various standard evaluation methods are available, for instance CML, EDIP, Eco-indicator 99, Ecoscarcity 2006, EPS 2000, Impact 2002+, IPCC 2007, IPCC2001, JEPIX, ReCiPe, USEtox or ABC

• Full functionality for impact assessment modeling.


• The basic version of REGIS already contains a full license of the most actual EcoInvent database with international industrial LCI data of known quality.

• The built in interface allows you to import further data from EcoInvent anytime.

• Format of data for import: Ecospold, Excel and csv.

• Format of data for export: (Ecospold), Excel, txt and html.

• Full functionality for LCI modeling. It is easily possible to create new data sets.


• REGIS was especially invented to support companies, it was the first specific software for corporate ecobalance and ecoperformance.

• Modeling based on measuring points. Reference to period simplifies understanding and first contact to LCA thinking.

• System boundaries analyses according to the method for corporate eco-balances of the Swiss Association for Environmentally Conscious Management. An essential point for the determination of an environmental strategy and the actions to focus on. Also representing the relevant facts for CDP Questionnaire.


• REGIS secures your Investment: Unlike self developed application within REGIS all created models and analyses are independent from personal know how and are supported by our experts from sinum.


Basics within half a day. A 4 hour session mount up to approximately 480 €.


The context-sensitive help and the step-by-step practice example provide all necessary information needed to benefit from REGIS.


SavvyPack®

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: Allied Development Corp.


X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.allied-dev.com

Description provided by: Eric Mogensen, [email protected]


The SavvyPack@ System is a very sophisticated analytical tool for the packaging industry, which spans vertically from raw materials to retail. It is both a modeling tool and a database. It is marketed as part of a package that includes both the tool and analytical services.


The SavvyPack® System is used to analyze and to compare the environmental and economic metrics of any product or process used for raw materials through retail in the packaging industry on a quantitative basis. Anything that can be done in the real world can be analyzed with the SavvyPack® System.

• What impact assessment models does it use? Many, with emphasis on energy consumption and greenhouse gas releases

• Is it possible to specify new impact categories? Yes • Is it possible to specify new characterization factors? Yes • Are normalization methods included? Yes • Can new normalization methods be added? Yes • Are weighting methods included? Yes • Can new weighting methods be added? Yes


The SavvyPack® System database, developed through over 15 years of primary research, provides extensive, up-to-date information that is automatically delivered to the modeling portion of the system. If the variable exists in real life, it is provided in the SavvyPack® System.

• What is the average age of the data? Updated monthly • What are the major sources of the data? Primary research conducted by Allied Development • For data sets that vary based on geography, what parts of the world are the data appropriate for? All

data including energy is divided into seven regions that cover the entire world. • Is it possible to add in new data? The system is completely flexible and allows new data for all

variables. • Are the allocation factors fixed or can they be modified? All allocation variables can be modified.



The SavvyPack® System provides a truly unique combination of rigorous analysis done is the least amount of time. It provides the best possible results with the least amount of resources.


The SavvyPack® System is marketed as part of a package of services. The services include on-going training, software support, and content support. There are no additional costs.


Instruction manuals are available, but the instructions preferred by users are the instructions integrated into the tool.


Sustainable Minds®

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: Sustainable Minds


___ Database

X Modeling

URL: www.sustainableminds.com

Description provided by: Terry Swack, [email protected]


Empowering product organizations to operationalize greener product development right from the start.

Sustainable Minds is the first comprehensive and standardized system that allows product development teams to credibly estimate, evaluate, compare and track the life cycle environmental and human health performance of products – in the earliest stages of design. Easy to understand and use, and delivered as an on-demand, Web-based service, it is affordable for businesses of all sizes to develop skills and knowledge to grow new revenue and markets through greener product innovation.

Sustainable Minds is used in the following industries:

1. Consumer Electronics 2. Household Appliances 3. Toys & Games 4. Apparel 5. Outdoor Gear & Equipment 6. Housewares 7. Medical & Scientific 8. Furniture 9. Transportation 10. Industrial Equipment 11. Building Products 12. Packaging


• Assessment models: TRACI • Specify new impact categories: Yes, with support from SM Services • Specify new characterization factors: Yes, with support from SM Services • Normalization methods included: Yes • Can new normalization methods be added: Yes, with support from SM Services

Nominated for World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, Class of 2011


• Are weighting methods included: Yes • Can new weighting methods be added: Yes, with

support from SM Services


• What is the average age of the data: Newer than 2000

• What are the major sources of the data: EcoInvent, USLCI, client impact factors

• For data sets that vary based on geography, what parts of the world are the data appropriate for: Assumed the use of products in North America, and will be expanding to other regions.

• Is it possible to add in new data: Yes, with support from SM Services

• Are the allocation factors fixed or can they be modified: They are fixed, as Sustainable Minds is intended for non-LCA experts.

•


Sustainable Minds integrates three components into one system: 1. Eco-concept Modeling + LCA

Software: Easy to use & understand, teams can rapidly iterate, evaluate and compare the life cycle impacts of product concepts – in a credible and standardized way – in R&D and early stage design.

2. Learning Center: Provides how-to information on environmental performance strategy, design practices and LCA, in context.

3. Community: Content and connections with professionals in manufacturing, consulting and education working on product innovation through greener products.

• For electro-mechanical products, durables

• Use in all stages of concept design, from screening directions to comparing final concepts.

• Assess any portion of the product – whole product system, subassemblies and parts.

• Use before or with CAD or PLM systems Interoperates with all CAD tools for BOM import.

• Comprehensive, proven and transparent methodology. Enables what-if comparisons based on 10 environmental impact categories, or CO2 footprint.



Sustainable Minds services teach product development teams ‘how to fish’, with the goal of operationalizing environmental performance assessment in the product development process.

• Ecodesign & LCA Annual Support – $3,000-$9,000 Most support requests will be regarding how to model or calculate an input, interpreting results, or custom impact factor creation, i.e. assistance with conducting a life cycle assessment. Paid support provides access to our LCA and services personnel – at a discounted rate from our standard consulting services.

Technical support is included in the cost of each annual subscription. This includes all questions regarding how to use the features and functions in Sustainable Minds LCA software.

• Web-based training: Integrating Ecodesign & LCA into Product Development – $1800

This training is designed to deliver the fundamental knowledge and hands-on experience to get your team effectively utilizing Sustainable Minds to benchmark products and gain insights about how to integrate environmental sustainability into your product development process.

• Customized services include: • Training – web-based or on-site • Pilot Program – Train the trainers

and/or train the team • Audit & Benchmark Program


Learning Center provides how-to information on environmental performance strategy, design practices and LCA, in context. It includes an extensive User Guide for conducting effective life cycle assessments for use in product development.

Environmental performance of design concepts can be rapidly created and compared during the design process. It’s like TurboTax® for LCA.


Umberto

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool: ifu Hamburg GmbH


X Database

X Modeling

URL: www.ifu.com

Description provided by: Hendrik Rubbeling, [email protected]


Software for MFA and LCA modeling including a database with broad application.


• What impact assessment models does it use? Matrix modeling or substance flow options available. • Is it possible to specify new impact categories? Yes. • Is it possible to specify new characterization factors? Yes. • Are normalization methods included? Yes. • Can new normalization

methods be added? Yes. • Are weighting methods

included? Yes. • Can new weighting

methods be added? Yes.


• What is the average age of the data? 2003.

• What are the major sources of the data? Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH and EcoInvent.

• For data sets that vary based on geography, what parts of the world are the data appropriate for? (ie is the energy data for the USA or do you have energy data for different countries?) Germany and Europe, EcoInvent international.


• Is it possible to add in new data? Yes. • Are the allocation factors fixed or can they be modified? Can be modified.


• Scope definition through graphical modelling and visualization • Fast and easy-to-use (graphical editor) • Life Cycle Inventory Calculation • Life Cycle Impact Assessment / free definition of Key Performance Indicators • Planning tool to optimize process technology / products


Self-learning with handbook

Training Workshops: 890 €

Online Training: 890 €


Yes


Life Cycle Assessment Tool Input Form Below is the input form sent out to people and organizations who wanted to include their tools in this directory. If you have a tool that you would like to have included in future editions, please request an MS Word version of this file or copy these contents into a Word document and then fill it out. We are not able to take responsibility for transcribing hardcopies that are mailed to us.

LCA TOOL INPUT FORM INSTRUCTIONS: The International Society of Sustainability Professionals wants to put together a directory of the various sustainability life cycle assessment tools available now or that will be available by the end of 2011. If you want your tool included in this directory, please fill out this form and return it to [email protected] by DATE.

Put the name of your tool here

Tool Summary

Creator/owner of the tool:


__ Database

__ Modeling

URL:

Description provided by (name and email):

Details

Purpose: What does this tool do? (Clarify if itʼs a modeling tool or database or both and whether is has broad application or is appropriate to one specific industry or product type.) Write a paragraph.

Modeling Features: What can people do with the tool? Suggest you use bullets.

Address these questions in your description if your tool does modeling: • What impact assessment models does it use? • Is it possible to specify new impact categories? • Is it possible to specify new characterization factors? • Are normalization methods included? • Can new normalization methods be added? • Are weighting methods included?


• Can new weighting methods be added?

•

Database Features: What can people do with the tool? Suggest you use bullets.

Address these questions if your tool contains a database: • What is the average age of the data? • What are the major sources of the data? • For data sets that vary based on geography, what parts of the world are the data

appropriate for? (ie is the energy data for the USA or do you have energy data for different countries?)

• Is it possible to add in new data? • Are the allocation factors fixed or can they be modified?

•


•

Training and Support: How do people learn how to use the tool? What are the associated costs?


Images

You can provide up to 4 images. This may include the logo for the tool, screen shots or sample results. Do not attach these visuals as they may get separated from your form. Embed them as a visual in this Word doc below or place them in your description where you want them to show up.

Descriptors

Please categorize your tool by checking the appropriate descriptors. We intend to produce a table that compares all the tools following this format. Please put your tool name (or abbreviation) in the right column and then use an X (please use a capital X) to indicate descriptors that apply to your tool. In some cases you may want to enter words instead of an X but please be brief.


Criteria Descriptor PUT YOUR TOOL NAME HERE in the top row as a

header and use X’s, words or numbers below as

appropriate.

Economy-wide tool



App

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(Fill

in a

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) Geographic region: Specific to a geographic region (please specify in right column; for example if energy data is only for USA or transportation data is for UK, list the geographic regions where the data are relevant.)

Modeling tool

Typ

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to

ol

(che

ck

one

or

both

) Database (please indicate average age of the data in years in the right column)

Avg age of data = __ years


Graphical capability



Too

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s



Manual

Design/customization


Supp

ort a

vaila

ble


PC/Windows

Mac

Web-based

Plat

form


English X

Lang

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s



Social performance

Top

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(che

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Free demo available

Cos

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