LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

AND POLICY MAKING

1

Dr. Stefanos Fotiou, UNEP

Life cycle2

Policy cycle3

Relations?4

How LCA can support each stage of the policy cycle?

First things first: LCA basics5

LCA is a “systems’ approach”

• Look at the issue in a broader context

• Identify the underlying cause of the problem

• Optimising systems; not only improving their parts

LCA and choices

• Our choices are not “isolated” (externalities)

• Our choices should be informed (evidence based policy making)

• Choices for the long term (“shortermism” is enemy of sustainability)

First things first: Policy making

basics6

• Prices

• Technologies

• ……………..

Policies are sets of “norms” aiming at

affecting institutional and individual “behaviors”

• Pressure from stakeholder groups / lobbying

• Preferences of “policy makers”

• Public opinion (usually not based on science)

Science is part of decision making but not the only

part.

• Aspirations

• Interests

• Perceptions

Policy principles provide guidance but are net per

se “legal rules”

Role of LCA in policy making

process7

Bring science into the equation

Balance interests and perceptions

Support the establishment of “right” prices

Promote innovative technologies

Aware public opinion

Make the business case

LCA in problem framing8

Identify and accurately map causes and impacts of problems

• Credible quantitative data

• Scientific analysis

• Framing solutions

Identify stakeholders involved in the “problem chain”

• Correlate impacts with behaviors

• Find dependencies among groups

LCA in policy framing9

Inform and help prioritize policies

Set measurable policy goals

Identify mandate and authority of “implementers”

Make policies more consistent among groups

• Owners of resources; producers; suppliers; consumers; waste managers

LCA in policy implementation10

Select the right policy instruments

Set prices to accurately reflect real total costs

• Environmental degradation, health, erosion of social welfare

Purchase more sustainable products and services

• Support national, regional and global markets

Take back systems supporting circular economy

Plan communication, education, information

LCA: Help selection of instruments11

LCA in monitoring and

evaluation12

Measure progress of quantitative targets

Identify “nodes” of non-compliance

Suggest corrective actions

Examples of LCA in policy13

French policy for recycling

Costa Rica policy on pesticides

Mexico policies on

waste management

EU policy on ecolabels

Japan system certification

scheme

Thailand green

procurement plan

USA policy on GHGs

reductions

China policies on eco-design

Success factors for LCA in

policies14

Continuous engagement with stakeholders

Participation of industry boosts implementation

Financial savings promote upscale of policies

Need for quantitative thresholds

Measure of impact reduction

LCA in context: System’s Innovation

approach15

Changes to consumption and lifestyle habits, urban form,

transportation modes, energy production, and economic

structure

Technological improvements that permit efficiency gains to

be achieved without impinging on nutritional

budgets or quality of life in developing countries

Massive investments in infrastructure, skills and

institutions and governance capacity supporting

sustainable development

Strengthening existing fiscal and financial instruments for

creating incentives for resource efficiency

interventions

Focus areas

Linking policy and LCA: Way

forward16

Mainstream LCA databases.

Industry, Environment,

Statistical Services

LCA as a cross-sectional tool

for policy development

and implementation

Provide LCA based tools and

solution to support

implementation of SDGs

Facilitate international and south-

south cooperation on

LCA tools

stefanos.fotiou@unep.org

@stefanosfotiou

Thank you!17