Product life-cycle optimization considers the reduction of environmental burdens associated with the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life stages of products. In this scoping study, LBNL evaluated the opportunities related to product life-cycle optimization in California. LBNL estimated the energy consumption and associated GHG emissions of the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life stages for 50 products manufactured in California. Explorative case studies to identify opportunities for GHG emissions reduction were then conducted for personal computers (PCs), and for cement and concrete.

Interest in this project’s initial findings resulted in follow-on research. In the follow-on research, a revised product life-cycle analysis (LCA) methodology was developed and subsequently employed to estimate the life-cycle GHG emissions of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors in California.

See also: California