Understanding Life Cycle Assessment
When many people think about automotive greenhouse gases (GHGs), they tend to focus solely on tailpipe emissions, or what vehicles emit during their driving or use phase. But for a complete understanding of how a material affects the environment—from its initial production, use and end-of-life disposal or recyclability phases—many scientists are adopting a Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA, method. To view a brief animated presentation on how LCA works click here.
The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has released its 2010 global steel life cycle inventory (LCI). The datasets provide the most accurate and comprehensive data on the environmental profile of 16 key products, representative of the spectrum of steel production.

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Brussels, 22 February 2010 – WorldAutoSteel announces today its participation in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Life Cycle Initiative, as a Gold Sponsor in partnership with the World Steel Association.  The Life Cycle Initiative was launched to respond to the call by governments around the world for a life cycle economy.  Through its involvement in the Life Cycle Initiative, WorldAutoSteel hopes to advance life cycle thinking with policymakers and customers around the globe. 

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This is a video that explains in very basic terminology and lots of pictures, what Life Cycle Assessment is and why steel is a green material.

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A life cycle inventory (LCI) study was conducted on the ULSAB-AVC PNGV-class vehicle to evaluate resource and energy consumptions, emissions and vehicle functions. This study considered the entire life cycle from cradle to grave, including manufacturing, operation and maintenance (use) and disposition.

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