Understanding LCAs to reduce product impact 

“Life cycle assessment turns environmental measurement into a strategic lever for credible sustainability, innovation, and supply chain excellence.” 

Every product we buy or use carries a hidden environmental footprint. Understanding that impact, from sourcing raw materials through manufacturing and distribution to end of life, is critical for making informed, sustainable choices. 

What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? 

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardised scientific method measuring the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life, from raw material extraction to production, use, and disposal or recycling (1). An LCA helps answer questions such as: 

• How environmentally friendly is this product compared to alternatives? 
• Which parts of the product’s lifecycle contribute most to its carbon GHG emissions and resource use? 
• Where should companies focus sustainability efforts for the greatest impact? 

LCA considers key factors such as: 

• Raw material origins and amounts (precious metals, fossil fuels, and other materials) 
• Energy and water consumption during manufacturing 
• Transportation methods used at various stages 
• Waste generation and end-of-life treatment 

This holistic method moves beyond guesswork to provide clear, data-driven insights into a product’s true environmental footprint. 

Why do LCAs matter strategically? 

Life Cycle Impact Assessments translate complex environmental data into actionable insights that enable better decisions. LCAs can help organisations: 

• Identify GHG emissions hotspots and prioritise impact reduction 
• Innovate products for improved environmental and economic performance 
• Enhance supply chain transparency through primary supplier data collection 
• Support credible sustainability claims backed by verifiable data 
• Inform strategic decisions about sustainable product design, sourcing and operations (1)(2) 

Embedding LCAs in decision-making transforms sustainability from abstract idealism into measurable, effective action. 

Practical steps: How to conduct an effective LCA? 

Define the goal and scope 

• Set objectives: internal improvement, client reporting, or external communication.  
• Determine system boundaries: cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, or cradle-to-cradle 
• Decide the functional unit (e.g., 1 kg or 1 item) 

Collect data 

• Prioritise primary data from suppliers and production facilities for accuracy 
• Use validated secondary data for background processes, for example from ecoinvent.  
• Maintain an audit trail documenting data sources, quality and assumptions 
• Clearly establish the product inventory 

Interpret results for action 

• Express impacts in kg CO₂-equivalent per functional unit 
• Understand the non-climate impact of products, for example eutrophication, acidification, and toxicity potentials.  
• Break down impacts by lifecycle stage to identify hotspots 
• Share findings with procurement, design and sustainability teams 
• Regularly update LCAs as product or process changes occur (1) 

Case study: Working with Unilever, PACT & Ecochain to optimise supply chain transparency 

Nexio Projects collaborated with Ecochain and the PACT (Partnership for Carbon Transparency) initiative to co-develop product carbon footprints (PCFs) using bespoke LCAs for various Unilever suppliers. This partnership offered key lessons: 

• Reliable primary data: Emphasis on collecting energy use, material inputs, and manufacturing waste directly from suppliers, improving PCF accuracy. 
• Standardised methodology: Application of the PACT framework enabled consistent PCF calculations and secure data sharing across systems. 
• Holistic metrics: Addressed climate impact alongside social and economic sustainability for a full environmental picture. 
• Capacity building: Supplier workshops, digital platforms, and continuous engagement raised awareness and enhanced GHG emission reduction readiness. 

Read more in our blog article here.

Impact on Rose Acre Farms 

Rose Acre Farms is one of the suppliers of Unilever. Being the US’s second-largest egg producer, they embarked on mapping the liquid egg product’s PCF across 15 farms with 20 million birds; a complex challenge. Supported by Nexio Projects and Ecochain, they: 

• Developed a representative PCF that revealed GHG emission hotspots in feed sourcing and energy generation. 
• Established a scalable system for expanding PCF calculations to more products. 
• Enhanced transparency and communication with stakeholders. 
• Built capacity for ongoing GHG emissions management aligned with future regulatory requirements. 

Read more about the journey in our case study:

Nexio Projects as your partner in product sustainability 

Life Cycle Analysis equips organisations to prioritise significant environmental impacts, foster transparency, and drive innovation. When embedded strategically, LCAs move companies closer to credible sustainability leadership and resilient, low-carbon business models. 

Nexio Projects is an international sustainability consultancy guiding clients from compliance to purpose. By translating sustainability ambitions into concrete actions, Nexio Projects supports organisations with expert services across ESG ratings, climate strategies, and sustainability reporting. 

The team combines deep expertise with creativity and collaboration to design tailored solutions aligned with each organisation’s unique context and goals. As a proud Certified B Corporation and Verdantix-recognised boutique ESG consultancy, Nexio Projects has supported over 400 clients worldwide across industries and geographies, empowering them to reduce environmental impact, strengthen resilience, and create long-term value. 

Specifically for product sustainability and LCAs, Nexio Projects offers: 

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Comprehensive, end-to-end LCA support that is simple and cost-effective. This service enables organisations to identify GHG emissions hotspots across their supply chains, engage transparently with clients, and gain competitive advantage. 
• Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): An objective, verified depiction of a product’s life cycle impacts that helps build trust with stakeholders. 
• Support with other forms of third-party verification of LCAs, such as ISO aligned critical review.  

With Nexio Projects, organisations gain a trusted partner to uncover detailed insights into the full life cycle impacts of their products and services and build robust, data-driven sustainability strategies for meaningful, measurable impact. 

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References 

(1) Ecochain. (2025). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Everything You Need To Know. Available at: https://ecochain.com/blog/life-cycle-assessment-lca-guide/ 

(2) Ecochain. (2025). EPD and LCA: What’s The Difference and How to Use Them. Available at: https://ecochain.com/blog/epd-and-lca/