Course description

This practitioner course translates ISO 14040 (principles and framework) and its companion ISO 14044 (requirements & guidelines) into a step-by-step approach for planning and governing Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). We begin by defining the purpose, decision context, functional unit, and system boundaries, ensuring that studies answer the right question without shifting the burden. You’ll learn how the four phases, goal/scope, inventory (LCI), impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation, work iteratively; how to choose allocation approaches and scenarios; and how to set data-quality rules, sensitivity checks, and critical-review needs for comparative claims. We’ll practice turning findings into decision-ready insights for eco-design, procurement, and disclosures, with an emphasis on transparent assumptions and uncertainty. Templates include a goal/scope worksheet, boundary & allocation picklists, a data-quality plan, an LCIA method/log sheet, and reporting/critical-review checklists. Applicable to organizations of any size or sector.

What you’ll learn

• Frame goals, decision context, functional units, and boundaries
• Map systems and data needs; distinguish primary vs. secondary datasets
• Select LCIA methods and plan allocation, scenario, and sensitivity analyses
• Build controls for data quality, uncertainty, and documentation
• Interpret results to avoid burden-shifting and overclaims
• Plan when a critical review is warranted for comparative assertions
• Link LCA outputs to eco-design, procurement, and EMS objectives
• Navigate data access options (e.g., GLAD) and reporting good practices

Who should attend

• Sustainability/ESG and environmental managers
• Operations, engineering, and procurement leaders
• Product designers and portfolio owners
• EMS/ISO 14001 coordinators and internal auditors
• Consultants supporting LCA studies and disclosures

Recommended

• Basic ISO 14001 or EMS awareness
• Comfort with spreadsheets and simple analytics
• Familiarity with product development or procurement workflows