Looking beyond the factory gates: Life cycle assessment, supply chain management and design for environment

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the principles of life cycle assessment (LCA), supply chain management (SCM) and design for the environment (DfE). They are all placed at Level 2 in the CapSEM Model as tools for enhancing the product by improving the actual production processes that take place at different stages and subsystems in the life cycle of a product. One way of analysing and ameliorating the environmental performance of a product can be by analysing the environmental aspects and impacts initially by performing a life cycle assessment aimed at finding the most significant environmental impacts in the life cycle of the product. These hotspots can then be identified under different suppliers in the upstream value chain. Results from this analysis should then be addressed in the design of a new product, and further result in changes to the supply chain by supply chain management. An optimal solution for improving the environmental impacts at the different stages of the life cycle of a product, can be achieved at the end by introducing this into design principles as better specification of the performance at each stage in the life cycle of the product. This chapter also introduces green public procurement as a driver for change in the supply chain.