Launch of the Comparative Global Report: Another Milestone Reached in the LCA CARE

The LCA CARE project is proud to announce its first major milestone: the publication of the Comparative Global Analysis, available in the Research Report on the project website. This comprehensive document is the result of extensive desk research conducted across partner countries, offering valuable insights that will serve as a foundation for guiding the next stages of the project.

Key Findings of the Report

The report, written in English, is structured into five main sections, forming a roadmap for the development of an LCA tool for SMEs:

Overview of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – This section provides a foundational understanding of LCA, explaining its purpose, principles, and applications. It highlights how LCA serves as a critical tool for assessing the environmental impacts of products, services, and processes throughout their entire lifecycle—from raw material extraction to disposal. The section establishes LCA’s relevance within the broader sustainability agenda, particularly for SMEs.
LCA Methodologies and Tools for the Agri-Food Sector – This section explores specific LCA methodologies and tools designed for the agri-food sector, addressing emissions measurement, resource efficiency, and waste management. It highlights key frameworks tailored to agricultural supply chains, food production, and distribution, ensuring that these methodologies are both scientifically robust and practical for SMEs.
International Benchmarking of Existing Tools – A comparative analysis of existing LCA tools on an international scale, assessing their features, functionalities, and effectiveness in achieving sustainability goals. By identifying best practices and limitations, this benchmarking highlights gaps in current tools, offering insights that will inform the development of the LCA CARE project’s customised tool.
Understanding SMEs’ Awareness of LCA Tools and Their Specific Needs – Based on surveys and stakeholder consultations conducted in consortium countries, this section evaluates SMEs’ awareness, adoption levels, and challenges in implementing LCA tools. It also identifies specific needs and expectations, ensuring that the LCA CARE tool is accessible, effective, and tailored to SME operations.
Support Mechanisms and Policies for LCA Adoption – This section reviews existing incentives, funding programmes, and policies that promote LCA adoption. It highlights government initiatives, sustainability regulations, and training resources, providing recommendations to foster a supportive environment for SMEs to integrate LCA into their business strategies.

A short version of the this Report is available here, including the original table of contents, excerpts from the original document, and key sections such as the executive summary, introduction, and final considerations.

The Role of LCA in Driving Sustainability

The agri-food sector plays a crucial role in the global economy but also faces significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and water overuse. Assessing and mitigating these impacts is a priority for businesses, policymakers, and consumers alike.

LCA provides a systematic and science-based approach to evaluating environmental impacts, offering SMEs the ability to make informed decisions that balance economic efficiency with environmental responsibility. However, SMEs often face challenges in adopting LCA, including limited resources, lack of expertise, and complex regulatory requirements. The LCA CARE project aims to address these barriers by providing accessible tools, training, and policy recommendations that will facilitate the integration of LCA into business practices.

Final Considerations and Next Steps

The synergy between Circular Economy (CE), the European Green Deal, ESG principles, and LCA is critical in driving sustainability in businesses. LCA plays a key role by offering quantitative data that helps companies improve their environmental performance, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.

Despite the challenges SMEs face in implementing LCA tools, the benefits are clear: improved market competitiveness, cost savings, regulatory compliance, and sustainability reporting. To ensure wider adoption, LCA tools must be user-friendly, cost-effective, and aligned with SMEs’ specific needs. The LCA CARE project is committed to developing solutions that simplify the implementation of LCA for SMEs, making sustainable practices more accessible and actionable.

Looking Ahead

A collaborative approach was key to developing this report, with each partner engaging directly with SMEs to collect industry-specific perspectives. These findings will play a pivotal role in shaping both the LCA tool and the specialisation course, which are core deliverables of the project.

This research report not only marks a significant milestone in the LCA CARE project but also reinforces its commitment to supporting SMEs in integrating lifecycle assessment into their sustainability strategies.

Stay tuned for more updates as the LCA CARE project progresses to its next phases! Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter in the bottom of our website to receive all the news directly in your inbox!

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