Philip Strothmann ERSCP-‐EMSU Consultant, UNEP

Philip Strothmann Consultant, UNEP DTIE ERSCP-­‐EMSU 06.06.2013 The role and importance of databases
No data – No result
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“Fuel” for decision support and product optimization
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Mapping reality in a model, before changing reality
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No adequate data - No adequate decision support
No own data – No specific result
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Own data and background data
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Unit process data and aggregated data
No common principles – No consistent results
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Any data (own and other) should fit in comparable principles
Background and History •  Decision in 2007 to produce a manual on developing a countries’ Life Cycle Inventory database for energy systems. •  However, the manual was not finalized due to the number of diverging comments, especially on development of databases •  Process to address this issue more generally was launched in September 2009 •  More than 10 stakeholder consultaEons held in various regions for scoping purposes •  Formed steering commiGee consisLng of 12 members balanced across geographies and sectors LCA data base work is international
Countries/
Regions
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Australia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
EU
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Thailand
Switzerland
USA
Industry Associa3ons •  European FederaLon of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) •  InternaLonal Aluminium AssociaLon •  InternaLonal Copper InsLtute (ICI) … and also
•  PlasLcs Europe commercial
•  worldsteel databases
Universi3es (and Partners) •  CIRAIG •  Sustainability ConsorLum •  University of StuUgart -­‐ LBP ü Collectively , these data sources support a variety of user needs.
Workshop -­‐ Methodology •  Global in geography with representaLon from developed and developing countries, final parLcipants included 48 aUendees from 23 countries •  Balance of data and study providers (primarily consultants and industry associaLons) with users, including IGOs, government, industry, NGOs, and academics •  Needed neutral and rigorous process with parLcipants agreeing to strict ground rules •  SETAC-­‐developed “Pellston Process” used to create structure and agenda Agreements and defini3ons achieved •  General principles for database management •  Glossary (105 terms based on ISO and other sources, it includes new terms too) •  Clear roles of users, database managers and dataset providers •  Life cycle database registry: A global database in which quality life cycle databases can be registered. •  Life cycle inventory database: A system intended to organize, store, and retrieve large amounts of digital LCI datasets easily. High level guidance and recommenda3ons • 
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Development of datasets for LCI databases must begin with planning for data collecLon Maximize transparency whenever possible Data documentaLon and review must assume a central posiLon DifferenLate what does or does not consLtute an “LCI database” AdapLve approaches have a place in supporLng LC data needs AcLvely anLcipate global informaLon system trends – don’t be reacLve Overall Principles for LCA Databases •  Accessibility •  Accountability •  Materiality and relevance •  Accuracy •  Completeness •  Consistency (non-­‐contradictory use of •  PracLcality (linked to responsibility and liability) methodologies, models, data, and assump:ons ) •  Exchangeability and compaLbility 09.08.13
(the use of data relevant and significant to a user’s need) (feasible) •  Quality •  Reproducibility •  Transparency (ensures open, comprehensive, and understandable presenta:on of informa:on ) Structure of the Guidance Principles The ISO 14040-­‐series connec3on ü Global Guidance – ü  Descriptive, less specific
Chapters 1, 4, 5, and 6 v ISO 14044 – LCA Requirements and guidelines ü Global Guidance – Chapters 2 and 3 v ISO TR 14049 – Examples of 14044 applicaLon ü EC-­‐JRC: InternaLonal Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) – Handbook (for example) (a) v ISO TS 14048 – Data documentaLon format Other examples include: Carbon footprint database (Japan) and
National LCI database (USA)
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ü More specific and operaLonal i.e. “How to” v ISO 14040 – LCA Principles and framework Suppor3ng ac3vi3es A.  Regional awareness communica3on/ training Chile (December, 2011) North Africa (December, 2011) Japan (January, 2012) Thailand (June, 2012) Lima (Aug, 2012) India (Aug, 2012) ü LCM France, Russia (2013) Lille, Nov 2012 B. Training Brazil (September, 2012) China (October, 2012) ü 3rd LCM Brazil Sept 2012 ü SETAC LCA Case Study Denmark Nov 2012 ü LCM ü India Aug, 2012 ü 3rd LCM China Conf TBC ü Global guidance ü Bangkok, June 2012 ü LCA/LCM Seminar Peru, Aug 2012 ü Africa Early 2013 ü CILCA 2013, Mendoza ü Argen3na, March ü Countries with LC networks
For more informa3on: Secretariat SCP Branch, UNEP DTIE, Paris hUp://www.lifecycleiniLaLve.org Email: [email protected] [email protected]