Life-cycle optimization involves evaluating the environmental burdens associated with all stages of a product’s life cycle (i.e., product manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposition) in an effort to identify approaches for minimizing those burdens. Life-cycle optimization extends traditional life-cycle analysis (LCA) by identifying specific, practical opportunities that may exist for reducing environmental burdens at each life-cycle stage; it therefore provides a holistic “cradle to grave” approach for identifying policies that promote industrial energy efficiency improvements and reductions in emissions of solid wastes, airborne and waterborne pollutants, and greenhouse gases (GHGs).

To date, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has performed life-cycle optimization studies for two key manufactured products: personal computers and concrete. For both products, LBNL identified practical measures for cradle to grave GHG emissions reductions and estimated the technical potential for GHG emissions reduction achievable via each measure. This work also included preliminary policy recommendations for achieving the estimated GHG emissions reductions in the State of California.

See also: California