Software as a bridge between theory and practice in life cycle assessment

Three mutually dependent elements are required for the application of life cycle assessment: methodology, data and software. Obviously, the design of software is determined by the methodology and the type of data available. Conversely, the development of software dictates the way in which data should be collected and recorded, and improves the theoretical framework, as it forces one to state the principles clearly and unambiguously. The influence of the development of software on both data and methodology is addressed and illustrated by examples, with reference to two key terms: transparency and explicitness. Three types of influence are distinguished: the design of a protocol, the formulation in terms of recipes, and the presentation of data.     

The application of life cycle assessment to design

This paper explores the practical application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to product system development. While life cycle assessment methods have been studied and demonstrated extensively over the last two decades, their application to product design and development has not been critically addressed. Many organizational and operational factors limit the integration of the three LCA components (inventory analysis, impact assessment and improvement assessment) with product development. Design of the product system can be considered a synthesis of individual decisions and choices made by the design team, which ultimately shape the system's environmental profile. The environmental goal of life cycle design is to minimize the aggregate environmental impacts associated with the product system. Appropriate environmental information must be supplied to decision makers throughout each stage of the development process to achieve this goal. LCA can serve as a source of this information, but informational requirements can vary as the design moves from its conceptual phase, where many design choices are possible, to its detailed design and implementation. Streamlined approaches and other tools, such as design checklists, are essential. The practical use of this tool in product development also depends on the nature and complexity of the product system (e.g. new vs. established), the product development cycle (time-to-market constraints), availability of technical and financial resources, and the design approach (integrated vs. serial). These factors will influence the role and scope of LCA in product development. Effective communication and evaluation of environmental information and the integration of this information with cost, performance, cultural and legal criteria will also be critical to the success of design initiatives based on the life cycle framework. An overview of several of these design initiatives will be presented.     

生态农业建设中的水资源生命周期及系统功能响应

论文从生命周期角度，对原先自然环境恶劣、通过生态农业建设取得了良好效果的3个生态农业县的水资源利用进行了全过程研究。结果表明，水资源生命周期过程的进展情况受多种因素影响。目前，各生态农业县水资源生命周期过程仍处在发育的初级阶段。这一过程的完整性与系统生态、经济和社会功能的提高成正比。     

略论中国绿色社区建设

绿色社区建设在中国刚刚起步 ,这是一种全新的发展理念、发展目标和发展模式 ,是实施可持续发展战略的现实要求 ,是加快中国城市化进程的必然选择 ,是全面建设小康社会的重要内涵 ,是创造绿色文明的热切呼唤。建设绿色社区具有重要的理论指导意义和实践示范作用。     

Chinese life cycle impact assessment factors

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＬｉｆｅｃｙｃｌｅａｓｓｅｓｓｍｅｎｔ(ＬＣＡ)ｉｓａｎｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌｍａｎａｇｅｍｅｎｔｔｏｏｌｔｈａｔｉｓｕｓｅｄｔｏｅｘａｍｉｎｅａｎｄｅｖａｌｕａｔｅｔｈｅｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔａｌｉｍｐａｃｔｓａｓｓｏｃｉａｔｅｄｗｉｔｈｔｈｅｅｘｉｓｔｅｎｃｅｏｆｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｓ(Ｊｅｎｓｅｎ,1998;Ｗｅｉｄｅｍａ,1997;Ｗｅｎｚｅｌ,1997).ＴｈｅｆｏｃｕｓｏｆＬＣＡｉｓｏｎｔｈｅｅｎｔｉｒｅｌｉｆｅｃｙｃｌｅｏｆｔｈｅｐｒｏｄｕｃｔ,ｉ.ｅ.ｆｒｏｍｔｈｅｅｘｔｒａｃｔｉ…     

基于行业全产业链评估一份外卖订单的环境影响

构建"生产-运输-使用-废弃处置"的外卖全产业链，通过大样本企业调研与外卖平台大数据分析，计算8个样本城市不同材质与规格的外卖餐盒、餐具、包装袋的市场使用比例，挖掘骑手配送的海量数据，收集城市垃圾处理处置情况，系统评估外卖全过程的环境影响.结果表明，外卖包装物全产业链中生产环节（45%）与废弃处置环节（50%）为环境影响的主要来源，严重程度依次为固废排放、水污染、资源能源消耗和大气污染.所在城市及选用包装物材质的不同，外卖行业造成的环境影响会有显著区别，全产业链上的各环节需相互配合，多主体共同承担环境责任，采取差别化的减缓应对措施.     

生命周期评价数据库分析与建模

基于关系数据库和面向对象程序设计理论建立了生命周期评价数据库系统。通过综合分析生命周期评价数据，根据生命周期评价数据的数据类型，将数据分为产品评价数据、产品档案数据、基础材料数据和影响评价基础数据，相应的设计了4个数据库。运用关系数据库理论分别对4个数据库建立了物理结构模型。     

绿色设计方法——设计领域发展的新趋势

 简要地介绍了设计领域发展的新趋势—绿色设计的基本思想，综述了绿色设计各主要研究领域的现状和问题以及发展趋势，阐明了我国开展绿色设计的研究与应用的必要性与可行性．     

从摇蓝到坟墓的污染预防:生命周期评价

随着污染形势的恶化,原有的亡羊补牢式的污染末端治理已经不能够满足环境污染发展的新要求,生命周期评价的概念就是从一个更宏观的角度,以更全面的视角来分析环境污染的产生和预防;本文从生命周期评价的概念、发展、方法和应用等几个方面对其进行较为全面的介绍.     

Life cycle analysis and choice of natural gas-based automotive alternative fuels in Chongqing Municipality,China

Road transport produces significant amounts of emissions by using crude oil as the primary energy source. A reduction of emissions can be achieved by implementing alternative fuel chains. The objective of this study is to carry out an economic, environmental and energy (EEE) life cycle study on natural gas-based automotive fuels with conventional gasoline in an abundant region of China. A set of indices of four fuels/vehicle systems on the basis of life cycle are assessed in terms of impact of EEE, in which natural gas produces compressed natural gas (CNG), methanol, dimethylether (DME) and Fischer Tropsch diesel (FTD). The study included fuel production, vehicle production, vehicle operation, infrastructure and vehicle end of life as a system for each fuel/vehicle system. A generic gasoline fueled car is used as a baseline. Data have been reviewed and modified based on the best knowledge available to Chongqing local sources. Results indicated that when we could not change electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into commercial vehicles on a large scale, direct use of CNG in a dedicated or bi-fuel vehicle is an economical choice for the region which is most energy efficient and more environmental friendly. The study can be used to support decisions on how natural gas resources can best be utilized as a fuel/energy resource for automobiles, and what issues need to be resolved in Chongqing. The models and approaches for this study can be applied to other regions of China as long as all the assumptions are well defined and modified to find a substitute automotive energy source and establish an energy policy in a specific region.