Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis

This lecture introduces the concept of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) as a tool to inform decision-making related to environmental aspects, exploring its usefulness in industrial engineering, the process complexity, ecobalance, and ecodesign tools. It covers the environmental impacts of different products, the life cycle of a cup of coffee, and the importance of LCA in sustainable production and consumption. The instructor explains the methodology of LCA, its regulatory framework, impact assessment, and the need to consider various environmental problems. The lecture also delves into the environmental profile of cars, the importance of a life cycle perspective, and how to perform an LCA using databases and inventory analysis.