What is the purpose of a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

The purpose of a life cycle assessment (LCA) is to analyze environmental impacts throughout a product's life cycle. An LCA provides a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental effects associated with all stages of a product's life, including raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and disposal. This tool is crucial for identifying opportunities to reduce negative environmental impacts and improve sustainability practices.

By examining each stage of the product's life cycle, organizations can understand how their decisions at one stage can affect the overall environmental footprint. This analysis helps in making informed choices regarding materials, processes, and end-of-life management, ultimately promoting more sustainable product development.

Other choices such as evaluating marketability, assessing employee productivity, and determining financial viability focus on very different aspects of business and sustainability. While these factors can influence overall business strategy, they do not directly address the core aim of an LCA, which centers on environmental impact assessment.