Seeing the Bigger Picture: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in PracticeBusiness Management / Sustainability (IHT)
Overview
As environmental performance becomes increasingly important in product development, procurement and market access, businesses face growing expectations to substantiate sustainability claims with credible and traceable evidence.
Evolving sustainability disclosure frameworks, including IFRS S1 and S2, alongside increasing attention to value chain (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions, are driving demand for reliable product-level environmental information.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides a systematic methodology for evaluating environmental impacts across a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to distribution, use and end-of-life. Beyond quantifying product carbon footprints, LCA supports evidence-based decision-making in product design, green procurement and environmental performance improvement.
This one-day introductory workshop equips participants with foundational LCA knowledge and practical exposure to LCA software. Through interactive learning and guided exercises, participants will explore how to interpret environmental assessment results and apply life cycle thinking to business decisions.
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for professionals involved in:
- Environmental and sustainability management
- Product design, development and management
- Engineering, manufacturing and operations
- Supply chain management and procurement
- Sales, marketing and business development
No prior knowledge of LCA is required.
Key Takeaway
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand life cycle thinking and recognise environmental impacts across a product's life cycle.
- Explain fundamental LCA principles and their applications in product carbon footprinting.
- Read and interpret LCA results, including environmental hotspots, assumptions and limitations.
- Use LCA software to construct a simplified product model and generate results through guided exercises.
- Apply LCA insights to support eco-design, product environmental performance management and green procurement.
- Communicate environmental performance using credible, evidence-based information.
Programme Outline
|
Module |
Key Topics |
|
1. Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking |
Sustainability trends, environmental claims, business drivers and applications of LCA |
|
2. Fundamentals of LCA and Product Carbon Footprinting |
Product life cycle stages, four phases of LCA, system boundaries and relevant ISO standards |
|
3. Understanding LCA Results |
Reading LCA reports, environmental impact indicators, hotspots and interpretation |
|
4. Hands-on LCA Software Modelling |
Guided construction of a simplified product model, inventory inputs and environmental impact calculations |
|
5. Applying and Communicating LCA Findings |
Eco-design, green procurement, product improvement, evidence-based sustainability communication and case discussions |
Methodologies
The workshop adopts an interactive Acquire & Apply approach, integrating foundational knowledge with practical, real-world applications.
- Acquire Knowledge: Understand fundamental LCA concepts through bite-sized lectures, industry examples, interactive discussions and knowledge checks using tools such as Mentimeter.
- Apply Knowledge: Reinforce learning through guided LCA software exercises and scenario-based activities to interpret results, identify improvement opportunities and support business decisions.
The workshop draws upon internationally recognised standards, including ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 for LCA principles and methodological requirements, and ISO 14067 for product carbon footprint quantification.
Quick Information
This one-day workshop introduces Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) fundamentals and software tools, equipping participants to interpret product environmental impacts and apply life cycle thinking to support sustainable product development and informed business decisions.Contact Details
+65 6842 6666
mdc@mdis.edu.sg