00041R - LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT FOR BUSINESS

courses

ID:

00041R

Duration (hours):

72

CFU:

SSD:

SCIENZE MERCEOLOGICHE

Located in:

PESCARA

Url:

Course Details:

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/BUSINESS E GOVERNANCE Year: 1

Year:

2025

Course Catalogue:

https://unich.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2025?co...

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (14/09/2025 - 14/12/2025)

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and its strategic and operational applications in business contexts. It fosters a critical and systemic view of environmental sustainability through the Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach, equipping students with tools to integrate life cycle analysis into decision-making processes, sustainable product design, and environmental communication.
Special attention will be given to the use of LCA to support product innovation, the development of sustainable business strategies, and compliance with international standards and regulations (e.g., PEF, Digital Product Passport). The course includes a practical module with exercises, professional software demonstrations, and project work.
Expected learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understandingAcquisition of the fundamental concepts of Life Cycle Thinking and the LCA methodology, with reference to international standards and key business applications.

Applying knowledge and understandingAbility to apply LCA to real-world cases, with a focus on ecodesign, environmental communication, and decision-making scenarios.

Making judgementsDevelopment of a critical and informed approach to analysing environmental impacts and selecting appropriate LCA tools and methods, including simplified and sector-specific applications.

Communication skillsAbility to effectively communicate LCA results in both technical and managerial contexts, using appropriate language and visual tools.

Learning skillsAbility to independently explore methodological and practical developments in LCA, including its integration into broader sustainability frameworks (environmental, social, economic).

Course Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are required to attend this course.

Teaching Methods

The teaching approach will combine lectures with active learning techniques. Case studies, group discussions, and the analysis of scientific literature will be used to foster critical thinking and contextual understanding. Multimedia teaching aids and demonstrations of professional LCA software will support the methodological modules. Students will engage in hands-on exercises using real datasets and databases, and will work in teams on a final project simulating a business-oriented LCA application.Seminars and guest lectures may be organised to provide insights from professionals and researchers in the field. Students will also participate in field study visits, conference events and other relevant activities.Gamification activities will also be proposed to support collaborative learning and enhance understanding of key concepts in Industrial Ecology and Life Cycle Thinking.

Assessment Methods

Student learning will be assessed through a combination of individual and group activities. The final evaluation will include:

An oral examination aimed at verifying conceptual understanding, methodological and terminological mastery, and the ability to critically interpret and communicate LCA-related topics.
A team-based project involving the application of LCA tools to a real or simulated business case, including a written report and an oral presentation.
Participation in class activities, exercises, and field visits may contribute to the final grade.

The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale.

Texts

Main reference books:

Hauschild M.Z., Rosenbaum R.K., Olsen S.I. (2018). Life Cycle Assessment: Theory and Practice. Springer.
Curran M.A. (ed.) (2012). Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products. Wiley.
Baumann H., Tillman A.M. (2004). The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to LCA – An Orientation in Life Cycle Assessment Methodology and Application. Lund: Studentlitteratur.
ISO 14040:2006 – Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization.
ISO 14044:2006 – Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization.

Teaching materials provided:

Handouts and copies of the slides and presentations used during lectures.
Guided exercises with professional LCA software.
Documents and datasets for the project work.

Recommended further reading:

Arzoumanidis I., Zamagni A., Raggi A., Petti L., Magazzeni D. (2013). A model of simplified LCA for agri-food SMEs. In: Salomone R., Clasadonte M.T., Proto M., Raggi A. (eds.), Product-Oriented Environmental Management System (POEMS) – Improving Sustainability and Competitiveness in the agri-food chain with innovative environmental management tools, Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 123–150.
Arzoumanidis I., Salomone R., Petti L., Mondello G., Raggi A. (2017). Is there a simplified LCA tool suitable for the agri-food industry? Journal of Cleaner Production, 149, 406–425.
Erkman S. (2002). The recent history of Industrial Ecology. In: Ayres R., Ayres L. (eds.), A Handbook of Industrial Ecology, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 27–35.
European Commission (2013). Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guide. Brussels.
Raggi A., Saija G., Salomone R. (2024). Sustainability, Industrial Ecology and Circular Economy. In: D’Ascenzo F. (ed.), Technology of Production Cycles – Quality, Innovation, Sustainability, Milan: CEDAM – Wolters Kluwer.
Zamagni A., Guinée J., Heijungs R., Masoni P., Raggi A. (2012). Lights and shadows in consequential LCA. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 17(7), 904–918.

The course begins with an introduction to Industrial Ecology, outlining its key concepts and critically examining its historical evolution, including its relationship with the Circular Economy, of which Industrial Ecology is considered a precursor. Life Cycle Thinking is then presented as a core operational paradigm within Industrial Ecology, with emphasis on its relevance for business and environmental policy.This is followed by a review of major global, regional and local environmental issues, including an analysis of their causal mechanisms and environmental precursors, which supports the understanding of impact categories used in LCA.The course continues with a comprehensive exploration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), covering its theoretical foundations, international standards, modelling approaches and key methodological challenges.Applications of LCA in business decision-making are then examined, with a focus on ecodesign, environmental communication (eco-labels, environmental declarations, PEF), and the Digital Product Passport (DPP).A dedicated section addresses simplified and sector-specific LCA approaches, supported by case studies and best practices.The course concludes with an overview of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) and a practical module involving professional software tools, hands-on exercises, and a team-based project.