A Framework for Estimating Life Cycle Eco-impact for ICT Products
09 November 2010
A work group within the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) set an objective to find or develop a simplified life cycle assessment (LCA) tool that could more efficiently assess impact on human health and the environment (eco-impact) for information and communications technology (ICT) products. Their efforts resulted in the development of an approach to more easily estimate the eco-impact, specifically global warming potential, of ICT products over their full life cycle. The approach follows the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14040 methodology for conducting an environmental LCA, and uses simplified techniques and algorithms for estimating specifically greenhouse gas emissions. The simplification techniques are based on a certain degree of commonality in materials, processes, and components within the industry. This estimator framework can provide the foundation upon which iNEMI can address development of a software-based tool.