Life Cycle Assessment for sustainable business management

Abstract

This study explores the strategic role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a decision-support tool for enhancing sustainability in business management. LCA provides a comprehensive and science-based framework to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and systems across their life cycle stages. A key contribution of this work is the classification of LCA uses into internal and external functions, ranging from product development, procurement, and operations to marketing, education, and policy engagement. Moreover, the paper distinguishes between retrospective and prospective applications of LCA, highlighting the former’s use in benchmarking and compliance, and the latter’s relevance in guiding sustainable innovation and early-stage decision-making. By promoting methodological innovation and expanding practical applications, LCA can evolve from a technical assessment tool into a strategic asset for sustainable business transformation.