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Using LCA to enhance EMS: Pulp and paper case study
Author(s) -
Gaudreault Caroline,
Samson Réjean,
Stuart Paul R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
environmental progress and sustainable energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.495
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1944-7450
pISSN - 1944-7442
DOI - 10.1002/ep.10340
Subject(s) - life cycle assessment , capital investment , context (archaeology) , product life cycle management , engineering , process management , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , systems engineering , management science , business , production (economics) , mechanical engineering , paleontology , finance , biology , economics , macroeconomics
Abstract Life cycle thinking and life cycle management (LCM) are concepts which have been gaining increasing attention from the industry. However, there is a need for tools and methods to make these concepts operational. Environmental management systems (EMS) and life cycle assessment (LCA) are mature tools that can be used to support the implementation of LCM within organizations. This article proposes a methodology for the integration of these tools. More specifically, it addresses the importance of LCA methodological choices in this context. A pulp and paper case study is used to illustrate the methodology. The potential of using such an integrated framework for assessing the environmental implications of capital investment projects is also underlined. It is concluded that the integration is possible but that conventional EMS evaluation is still required. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009