We sometimes receive questions from our clients about the results of their LCA, specifically regarding the impact category Climate Change. In this article, we explain what this impact category means and what its results tell you.
Context: what are impact categories in an LCA?
When you perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), you determine the environmental impact of a product. This involves looking at the various ways the product affects the environment. These “different types” of impact are grouped into what we call impact categories.
Impact categories are sometimes also referred to as indicators: certain emissions are grouped into one category, and the indicator provides a signal about this category. For example, greenhouse gas emissions are indicators of global warming. Each impact category has its own defined indicators.
Want to learn more about this topic? Read our article: There’s more than carbon: impact categories overview.
What does the impact category 'Climate Change' mean?
The impact category Climate Change describes perhaps the most well-known form of environmental impact. It concerns the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the product, expressed in the standard unit CO₂-equivalent (CO₂-eq).
CO₂-eq is chosen as the standard unit for expressing greenhouse gases. CO₂ is the most well-known greenhouse gas, but there are many others, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen compounds.
Each greenhouse gas has its own “strength”—its level of impact on the environment. CO₂-eq indicates how much stronger a greenhouse gas is compared to CO₂. For example, the environmental impact of 1 kg of methane is 28 kg CO₂-eq, meaning that methane is 28 times stronger (and therefore more harmful) as a greenhouse gas than CO₂.
By expressing all greenhouse gases in the same unit, they can be compared and added together. This allows you to assess the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions rather than analysing each greenhouse gas individually.
We conducted an example LCA comparing the materials PET and PVC. In this analysis, we compared the environmental impact of 1 kg of each material. The results for the Climate Change category were as follows:
- PET: 3.50 kg CO₂-eq.
- PVC: 2.55 kg CO₂-eq.
Read more about this example LCA: Example results of an LCA: PVC vs. PET.
What is included in the impact category Climate Change?
When we talk about the impact category Climate Change, we often refer to the main category Climate Change - Total. However, this main category can also be further divided into several subcategories:
- Climate Change - Fossil sources
- Climate Change - Biogenic sources
- Climate Change - Land use and land use change
We explain the different forms below.
Climate Change - Fossil sources
This subcategory includes greenhouse gases released from the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. Typical examples are emissions of CO₂ and CH₄ (methane) from industrial processes, transportation, and electricity generation.
Globally, fossil fuels are one of the largest contributors to climate change. The impact of these emissions is often seen as the primary focus in policy and industrial analyses.
Climate Change - Biogenic sources
This subcategory includes emissions from "biogenic" sources. Biogenic refers to substances or materials of biological origin, meaning they come from living organisms or organic material.
Examples of such emissions include those produced during the decomposition or combustion of biomass. Think of CO₂ emissions released when burning wood or methane emissions from the decomposition of organic waste.
Climate Change - Land use and land use change
This subcategory focuses on emissions resulting from changes in land use, such as deforestation, soil degradation, or changes in land management. Examples include CO₂ emissions from deforestation or methane emissions from converting peatlands into agricultural land.
How can insights into environmental impact in this category help you?
Once you have gained insights into the environmental impact of your product, you can use this knowledge to advance your business.
With insights into your environmental impact in the Climate Change category, you can:
Reduce your environmental impact
An LCA examines all phases in the life cycle of your product and provides insight into where the most significant part of your environmental impact occurs.
With this knowledge, you can take steps to adjust your production process, where possible, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise your environmental impact. The LCA and its results serve as a solid foundation for effective sustainability efforts.
For example, by understanding where the largest climate impact lies, you can develop new, more sustainable products and processes. You might switch to biobased or recycled materials, or replace fossil energy with renewable energy sources.
Communicate transparently
Consumers are increasingly interested in the sustainability of the products they purchase. The insights you gain from an LCA, such as the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by your product, can be shared with your customers—for instance, through a QR code on the label.
An LCA is also a reliable way to substantiate your sustainability claims. It’s essential to base your statements on evidence; otherwise, they may be perceived as false or misleading.
Want to learn more about this topic? Read our article: How to communicate your sustainable progress.
