Life cycle-based approaches have an important role to play in assessing scenarios on
how we can enable humanity to thrive in a socially just space that respects the
ecological ceilings of our planet. The conceptual framework, that combines social,
environmental as well as economic impacts, is Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
(LCSA) as combination of environmental LCA, social LCA and Life Cycle Costing. LCSA
as a concept has been introduced more than 15 years ago. The concept of LCSA is
easily explained, but it is rather difficult to operationalise, with one of the main
challenges being the harmonisation and integration of these three assessments.
This LCA discussion forum will summarise the developments in the LCSA
methodology in the last 15 years, show the current state of operationalisation of the
LCSA methodology including specific examples as well as identify needs for future
developments and research in order to further develop the LCSA methodology