Life Cycle Inventories /
Environmental Footprint Datasets
Now available: Solvent EF datasets NODES
Next to publication on the ESIG website as ILCD, Excel, or GABI file, the six EF compliant LCI dataset are now available as NODES via the Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD). The nodes can be accessed
About GLAD?
What is GLAD?
The Global LCA Data Access network (GLAD) is the largest directory of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) datasets from independent LCA database providers worldwide. The Life Cycle Initiative hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the custodian of GLAD.
GLAD does not directly host databases. Its primary purpose is to help users find the LCA data they need. It redirects users to the data provider website, from which the datasets can be downloaded.
To enhance interoperability between formats, GLAD offers a conversion function, allowing users to convert a dataset from its native format into a format convenient for the user.
Why GLAD ?
The growing interest in science-based decision making has increased the need for the availability and accessibility of LCA data. Life cycle assessments guide governments in developing science-based policies toward circularity and sustainable consumption and production. On the other hand, businesses and industries can base their innovation and strategic sustainability decisions on more robust information. GLAD aims to achieve wide usage of LCA through better accessibility and interoperability of LCA data.
Looking ahead
Three oxygenated solvents (acetone, n-butanol and butyl glycol ethers) and three categories of hydrocarbon solvents which have consumer end-uses were selected to develop cradle-to-gate life-cycle inventories to facilitate the calculation of Product or Organisation Environmental Footprints (PEFs/OEFs) and assure that a solid Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database for solvent is available.
We are looking to develop further datasets and plan to do so for the category 1 and 2 solvents (C9 -12 Aromatics) and butyl acetate.
Background
The Environmental Footprint (EF) is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based method to quantify the environmental impacts of products (goods or services). It has been developed under the supervision of the EU Commission. A pilot phase was run for five years (2013-2018) to test the PEF/OEF methods in 27 different industry sectors, and about 20 Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) and Organisation Environmental Footprint Sectoral Rules (OEFSRs) were developed.
The project is in a transition phase (2019-2024), during which the implementation of sets of rules established (PEFCRs) is monitored, the rules are expanded, and the background or secondary data sets developed are updated and expanded.
The EU Commission is currently exploring how to use the Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint methods in policies.