A product environmental footprint quantifies the environmental impact of a product over its life, from acquiring the raw material through to its production, packaging, use and disposal.

It is often referred to as a product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).  LCAs can assess the the impact of a product on one or more environmental categories. These include:

• Global warming potential (greenhouse gas emissions)
• Eutrophication potential
• Acidification potential
• Primary energy
• Water
• Ozone depletion.

You can hear a succinct description of an LCA in this clip.

There are several approaches to undertaking an LCA. Your objectives will influence which approach is appropriate for your product.  Talk to us about the nature of your business, products, and supply chain to determine your LCA needs.

We undertake LCA reporting in line with the appropriate international standards and we use specialist software which applies recognised LCA methods.

See an example of an LCA for a micro hydro generator here (PDF; 516KB) or go here for brief descriptions of other LCAs we have undertaken.

Catalyst^® is a member of Life Cycle Assessment New Zealand (LCANZ) and the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS).