LCA data levels
From imde.io
For the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data management, it's important to have distinct, clear terms that differentiate between the design-level data and the tracking & tracing data.
- Design-Level LCA Data (D-LCA Data): This term refers to the foundational data structure that encompasses a comprehensive bill of materials. It includes all materials (raw, components, finished goods, handling/shipping units) and associated events (transformation, movement, storage). This level of data integrates LCA/ESG-related metrics such as emissions, origin, water usage, and weight. 'Master data' falls under this category, representing constants in the bill of materials for every product iteration.
Use Design-Level LCA data when discussing or documenting the baseline environmental and sustainability parameters of products, which are inherent to the product design and are not influenced by batch-specific or individual item circumstances.
- Operational LCA Data (O-LCA Data): This term is designated for the data related to specific batches or individual items, capturing the actual, real-time data on events and composition. This includes variations in energy consumption, transportation emissions, and other factors influenced by situational or environmental conditions, like weather or global logistics challenges. Use operational LCA data when focusing on the LCA data pertinent to the operational or logistical aspects of product life cycles. It's particularly relevant for tracking, tracing, and analyzing the environmental impact of products during the storage, transportation, and usage phases, where real-world variables come into play.
