Non-Linearity in Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can evaluate and potentially improve the sustainability of products and services by analyzing the inventory involved in the life cycle and assessing the resulting environmental impacts from the inventory. However, assumptions of linearity in either inventory analysis or the impact assessment could contradict important real-world phenomena and may lead to inaccurate conclusions from the practice of LCA, which impede its effectiveness in advancing sustainability. Some aspects of non-linearity have been studied and applied in LCA, such as the heterogeneous nature of input/output for the same products produced in different locations and the time-horizon effects of global warming potentials of different greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, many other aspects of non-linearity have largely remained unexplored yet, such as seasonal or accidental releases inherited in certain products' life cycles and the toxicity impacts assessment of the chemical. Addressing such non-linearity in LCA not only offers academic advancement in this field but also may enhance the accuracy of LCA results that provide better guidance in developing sustainable products and services.

In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of a wide range of article types covering, but not limited to, non-linearity in LCA, such as:
• Developments of methodologies (e.g., data, models, etc.) that involve non-linearity.
• Case studies that illustrate the difference in results from linear vs non-linear assumptions.
• Reviews on the progress of non-linearity in LCA.
• Contributions in subtopics where non-linearity in LCA has been rarely explored are especially encouraged while advancements in other subtopics that have been pioneered are also welcomed

Topic Editor Dr.Tsang is the founder of Three Pillar Consulting and Shams Global Solutions. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic.