Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
path followed by the developed world. Understanding the potential and adoptability
of LCA to local conditions, in terms of scale and intensity, is critical.
Apart from awareness and capacities, one of the main constraints in adopting
LCCA in developing countries is the huge data requirements. LCCA is known for
its data intensity and sensitivity to the methods and tools used in assessing envi-
ronmental impacts. Building on the data sources and ensuring data quality on
various indicators across the sectors is a necessary
first step. The most challenging
aspect in this regard is coordination between sectors and their departments for data
generation and data sharing. For instance, inter-departmental coordination and
integration has been in the cards for quite some time in India, but yet to be
implemented in practice. Creating information and feedback loops between the
departments through centralized information system might help in overcoming this
problem. Often important environmental data is not accessible to researchers or
public though it is collected by the industry thus keeping the likely environmental
impacts in the dark.
5 Conclusions
This chapter reviewed the work on LCCA with the intent to influence the policy
understanding of why life-cycle cost assessment is central to achieving the objectives
of sustainable development as well as sustainable service delivery and to influence
the behaviour of sector stakeholders. The broad objective is that LCCA is mains-
treamed into governance processes at all institutional levels from local to national in
order to increase the ability and willingness of the decision makers (both users and
those involved in service planning, budgeting and delivery) to make informed and
relevant choices between different types and levels of products and services.
This chapter, based on the experience of earlier studies, argues that a compre-
hensive LCCA can provide win-win strategies in terms of identifying appropriate
technologies, products and services that are environmentally, economically and
socially sustainable. LCCA prompts policy shifts towards broader systems per-
spective, as it is not limited to policy planning. Adoption of LCCA evolves from
life cycle thinking that needs to be ingrained in macro policies. LCCA management
processes need to be put in place. This calls for awareness building and capacities at
the policy and planning levels. Here we provide the key merits of LCCA that can
attract quick policy attention.
1. LCCA is an appraisal tool that can be applied at any stage of the life cycle. This
helps in evaluating even existing infrastructure investments.
2. LCCA has the potential to deal with the nexus approach by adopting a systems
approach that includes inter-sectoral linkages and externalities.
3. LCCA is now widely used covering most of the sectors, products and services.
Common or standard LCCA guidelines can help in following a systematic
economy wide approach.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search