Article: Qualitative and quantitative approaches dealing with uncertainty in life cycle assessment (LCA) of complex systems: towards a selective integration of uncertainty according to LCA objectives Journal: International Journal of Design Engineering (IJDE) 2010 Vol.3 No.2 pp.151 - 171 Abstract: Since the emergence of life cycle assessment (LCA), many studies have focused on the integration of uncertainties. Nevertheless, data quality assessment and statistical approaches are not yet widely used to quantify uncertainty, and when used, methodologies are neither uniform nor rigorous. Moreover, the data required to propagate and estimate the overall uncertainty are often lacking. Finally, the quantification of uncertainty could introduce more confusion in decision-making. In this context, we propose joint implementation of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to estimate uncertainties when performing LCA of complex systems. Using an existing LCA on grocery bags, this study first attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to deal with uncertainty. Secondly, given that data collection is very time-consuming, the usefulness of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches will be discussed. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Qualitative and quantitative approaches dealing with uncertainty in life cycle assessment (LCA) of complex systems: towards a selective integration of uncertainty according to LCA objectives

Authors: Y. Leroy, D. Froelich

Addresses: Laboratory of Industrial Engineering, Ecole Centrale Paris, Grande Voie des Vignes, 92295 Chatenay-Malabry Cedex, France; Laboratory MAPIE, ENSAM, Institute 'Design, Mechanical Engineering and Environment', Savoie Technolac, B.P. 295, 73375 Le Bourget Du Lac Cedex, France. ' Laboratory MAPIE, ENSAM, Institute 'Design, Mechanical Engineering and Environment', Savoie Technolac, B.P. 295, 73375 Le Bourget Du Lac Cedex, France

Abstract: Since the emergence of life cycle assessment (LCA), many studies have focused on the integration of uncertainties. Nevertheless, data quality assessment and statistical approaches are not yet widely used to quantify uncertainty, and when used, methodologies are neither uniform nor rigorous. Moreover, the data required to propagate and estimate the overall uncertainty are often lacking. Finally, the quantification of uncertainty could introduce more confusion in decision-making. In this context, we propose joint implementation of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to estimate uncertainties when performing LCA of complex systems. Using an existing LCA on grocery bags, this study first attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches to deal with uncertainty. Secondly, given that data collection is very time-consuming, the usefulness of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches will be discussed.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; LCA; data quality assessment; uncertainty management; decision making; grocery bags; quantitative analysis; eco-design; green design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDE.2010.034862

International Journal of Design Engineering, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.151 - 171

Published online: 25 Aug 2010 *

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Title: Qualitative and quantitative approaches dealing with uncertainty in life cycle assessment (LCA) of complex systems: towards a selective integration of uncertainty according to LCA objectives

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