Events Calendar

Friday, Apr. 5

CU Boulder Campus

9am-5pm

A Sustainable Practices Program Course

http://sustainable.colorado.edu/

The objective of this non-credit course is to provide students with an introduction to life cycle assessment (LCA), a scientific approach to quantifying the various impacts (usually environmental) associated with all inputs and outputs of a product’s value chain, utilizing an approach often described as “cradle-to-grave” or “cradle-to-cradle” analysis. The course will deliver an understanding of what LCA is used for, what resources exist, and the applicable standards for LCA – as well as how to apply them. Students will learn the relevant methods and tools for performing life cycle analysis, where they should be applied, and how to interpret the results. Focus will also be placed on key concepts such as understanding system boundaries, the concept of “functional unit” that LCA studies are based on, the importance of various data sources, and the position of life cycle assessment among other impact assessment tools.

Instructor: Jeffrey Yorzyk