ISO 14044 Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Framework

Understanding environmental impact is crucial for modern businesses, but measuring it accurately requires a structured, standardized approach. This course guides you through ISO 14044, the global standard for conducting Environmental Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). You will gain a clear, step-by-step understanding of how to evaluate a product's environmental footprint from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. By learning how to apply this framework, you will be able to make data-driven decisions that support genuine sustainability goals and avoid greenwashing. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the core terminology, principles, and phases of an ISO 14044 Life Cycle Assessment. 2. Define the goal and scope of an LCA study, including system boundaries and functional units. 3. Conduct a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) to collect and quantify environmental inputs and outputs. 4. Perform a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) to evaluate potential environmental consequences. 5. Interpret LCA results to identify hotspots and make recommendations for improvement. 6. Apply modern sustainability concepts like carbon footprinting and circular economy principles within the ISO framework. The course begins with foundational concepts and environmental terminology before guiding you through the four main phases of the ISO 14044 standard. You will then explore how these assessments are documented, reviewed, and applied to real-world sustainability challenges. This course is designed for beginners, sustainability coordinators, product designers, and business professionals who want to understand the mechanics of life cycle thinking without prior experience. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in standardized environmental assessment.