Launch: A guide to using Life Cycle Assessment in policymaking

Date: 19 November 2024

Time: 14h-15h30 CET

Registration closed

This webinar introduced A Policymakers' Guide to Life Cycle Assessment, demonstrating how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can support effective environmental policy design. Key insights from UNEP’s Policy Brief were shared, including examples of governments using LCA to address environmental hotspots and reduce impacts. The event encouraged discussion on LCA’s role in advancing climate, nature, and pollution goals, addressing challenges, and best practices in eco-design, circular economy, and sustainable procurement.

Watch the event recording below

Agenda (times in CET, UCT+1):

14h00-14h10: Opening Remarks and Context

• Background on the Life Cycle Initiative and its mission
• The significance of LCA in policymaking

14h10-14h25: Main Messages of the Policy Brief

• Overview of the key messages from the report
• Four practical recommendations for policymakers

14h25-14h45: Examples: Using LCA in Policy

• Examples from a couple of governments using LCA in their policy processes. 
• How LCA has impacted decision-making in these governments. 
• How this Policy Brief may support government officials in future uses.

14h45-15h25: Interactive Session and Audience Engagement

• Polling questions and Targeted Discussion Prompts

15h25-15h30: Closing Remarks

Speakers

• Greg Cooney, Director of the Policy & Analysis Division, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Carbon Management
• Archana Datta, Life Cycle Initiative Coordinator, UNEP
• Małgorzata Gołębiewska, Team Leader for Environmental Footprint (EF) and Green Claims, European Commission - Directorate-General for Environment
• Llorenç Milà i Canals, Head of Secretariat of the Life Cycle Initiative, UNEP
• Jitti Mungkalasiri, Team Leader for Life Cycle Inventory and Data Applications for Sustainability and Trade, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand
• Pippa Notten, director and principal consultant, The Green House, South Africa
• Thiago Rodrigues, Researcher on Information for Sustainability, Brazilian Institute for Science and Technology Information (Ibict)
• Nydia Suppen Reynaga, Founder CADIS - Centre for Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Design, Mexico
• Elisa Tonda, Chief of Resources and Markets Branch, UNEP

Presenters

The webinar featured presentations from co-authors of A Policymakers’ Guide to Life Cycle Assessment, including from UNEP's Life Cycle Initiative, and government representatives describing examples of policies using LCA. Access the presentations (PDF).