The aim of this book is to link demand and supply of environmental
information in the field of Life Cycle Management. The book is
based on the results of the CHAINET concerted action financed by
EU-DGXII for the work period 1998-2000, and is intended to build
bridges between the different scientific communities in the field
of Life Cycle Management. A structured approach is followed,
meaning that both demand and supply of environmental information
are characterised, after which the two are linked.
Chapter 2 deals with the demand side; a number of characteristics
are identified including the object of analysis, different question
types, consecutive decision steps, and the cultural context of the
decision at hand. Chapter 3 gives an overview of the supply side,
distinguishing between concepts, analytical tools, procedural
tools, technical elements, and data. The focus of the book is on
analytical tools. In Chapter 4 and in a 34-page annex, eleven
analytical tools are systematically described, including LCA, MIPS,
ERA, MFA, SFA, CERA, IOA, analytical tools for ecodesign, LCC, TCA,
and CBA.
In Chapter 5, demand and supply are linked, starting from the
question types and indicating which types of tools are particularly
suited for which type of question. For instance, it is shown that
LCA is particularly useful for operational questions, but less so
for more strategic questions. Other aspects concern the distinction
between a broad overview and a detailed analysis, and,
interestingly, the cultural context of the decision. It appears
that without agreement on the criteria to be used, quantitative
analytical tools such as LCA, ERA, or CBA may not be very helpful
as support for decision-making. Rather more robust quantitative, or
even qualitative, tools may then be used instead.
Chapter 6 makes a number of concluding remarks. A plea is made for
the combined use of tools, rather than the development of a super
tool. Another important topic concerns the customisation of tools,
which is seen as quite useful if combined with a periodic
validation against a more detailed analysis.
In the text of the preceding chapters, 26 text boxes are included
as practical illustrations of the principles described in the text.
In the following chapters, three cases are presented, dealing with
electronic goods, the car, and clothes washing. These cases show
how, in practice, different tools are used in combination, as a
support for a given decision situation.
The book is particularly suited for courses in higher education,
both for universities and polytechnics, and for use by consultancy
firms, by larger companies, and industrial branch organisations.
General
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