Lifecycle Emissions and Data Quality Issues

Lifecycle emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product or process throughout its entire lifespan—from raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, to disposal or recycling. Assessing these emissions provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental impacts beyond just operational phases. Data quality issues in lifecycle emissions arise due to variability in data sources, inconsistent methodologies, and gaps in data coverage. Challenges include outdated or regionally non-representative data, lack of transparency in data collection, and difficulties in tracking indirect emissions (e.g., supply chain emissions). These issues can lead to significant uncertainties and inconsistencies in lifecycle assessments (LCAs), complicating comparisons and decision-making. Improving data quality involves standardizing data collection protocols, enhancing transparency, using up-to-date and location-specific data, and adopting robust verification procedures. High-quality data ensures more accurate lifecycle emissions estimates, supporting better regulatory policies, corporate sustainability strategies, and environmental reporting. Addressing data quality issues is critical to reliably quantify environmental impacts and effectively mitigate climate change.