Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. Within an LCA, the 'inventory analysis' and 'impact assessment' phases serve distinct but sequential purposes.
Inventory Analysis is the second phase of a Life Cycle Assessment, following the definition of goal and scope. During this phase, all relevant quantifiable inputs and outputs of a product system across its entire life cycle are identified and documented. This involves collecting comprehensive data on all energy and raw material inputs consumed, and all emissions to air, water, and soil, as well as waste generation, at each stage from raw material extraction, through manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life management. For example, for a smartphone, inventory analysis would quantify the electricity used to manufacture its components, the water consumed in processing raw....
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