LCA CARE Consortium Advances Key Milestones in Birkenfeld, Germany
On November 13-14, 2024, the LCA CARE consortium gathered for its second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Birkenfeld, Germany, hosted at the IfaS, the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld. Over the course of two days, project partners reviewed progress, refined ongoing tasks, and set the direction for the next phases of implementation.
A key focus of the meeting was the development of the research report, a comprehensive comparative global analysis compiling the findings of the desk research conducted across partner countries. This report, produced in English, consists of four main sections:
- Findings from the desk research, presenting an overview of existing LCA methodologies and frameworks;
- Conclusions from the benchmark of LCA tools, identifying best practices and potential gaps;
- Perceptions of SME managers and professionals, gathered through surveys conducted in each consortium country;
- An ontology, structuring key LCA concepts and relationships to support tool development.
Each consortium partner distributed surveys to SMEs in their respective countries to gather direct insights and industry perspectives. This collaborative approach ensures that the research findings accurately reflect the needs and realities of SMEs. The report will serve as a critical guiding document for the next stages of the LCA CARE project, supporting both the development of the LCA tool and the design of the specialization course.
Another major topic of discussion was the LCA Tool development, where partners focused on defining its structure and accessibility. Discussions centered on database integration, AI-driven analytics, and the challenge of balancing scientific rigor with user-friendliness to ensure the tool’s practical applicability for SMEs.
Exploring the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld
As part of the meeting, partners had the opportunity to visit the Environmental Campus, a pioneering institution in the field of environmental sustainability. The campus integrates cutting-edge research, education, and practical applications to promote sustainable development. Partners explored how IfaS implements energy-efficient systems, circular economy principles, and innovative technologies, aligning with the LCA CARE project’s mission to enhance sustainability practices among SMEs.
This visit provided valuable insights into practical implementations of environmental strategies.
Visit to Govinda
The meeting also included a technical visit to Govinda, a consortium partner specializing in natural and organic food products. Govinda has built a strong reputation in sustainable production, showcasing its commitment to eco-friendly packaging solutions, responsible sourcing of raw materials, and environmentally conscious business practices.
This firsthand experience provided valuable insights into the practical application of sustainability principles in the agri-food sector, reinforcing the relevance of the LCA CARE tools in supporting SMEs as they transition toward more sustainable and eco-innovative practices. The visit also served to strengthen collaboration among project partners, fostering deeper engagement and shared commitment to the project’s goals.
Looking Ahead
With solid progress and a collaborative spirit, the consortium set clear next steps, including the finalization of current activities, the refinement of educational resources, and enhanced coordination in communication and dissemination efforts. These actions will contribute to equipping SMEs with effective tools and knowledge to integrate life cycle assessment into their operations.
LCA CARE continues to pave the way for greater sustainability and eco-innovation in the agri-food sector, supporting SMEs in their transition toward more responsible environmental management. Join us in our mission and follow us in our LinkedIn!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Project Number: 101139959
