1. How to adapt life cycle analysis methodology to innovation?

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a widely used method for the environmental evaluation of products (goods or services) ( cf. LCA as a redesign and change management tool [FIC 0240] ). A large amount of data and time is required to carry out an LCA of a complex system; for example, carrying out an LCA of an automobile can involve inputting over 800 parameters and take more than 3-4 months. It is generally implemented at the end of the product design process, when the product is fully designed and manufactured (see figure Life Cycle Assessment in the design process of complex products)....