Abstract
The need to reveal positive environmental consequences of offerings has risen as urgent climate actions are needed from companies. The environmental handprint approach was developed to indicate the positive environmental impacts of a solution offered to a client. The environmental handprint approach builds upon the previously published carbon handprint approach. The approach follows the guidelines of ISO standards on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) but complements them with instructions for calculating positive environmental impacts. The environmental handprint framework allows consideration of several different environmental impacts including climate impacts, air quality, and utilization of nutrients, water and resources, and it can be applied to products, services, organisations and projects. The framework consists of four main stages: 1. Handprint requirements, 2. Additional LCA requirements, 3. Quantification, 4.
Communication. The handprint approach provides an important addition to life cycle studies. Handprints can be used by organizations to communicate the environmental benefits of their products, services, and technologies. They also serve as an aid to identify improvement potential throughout the life cycle of an offering, thus supporting product development and decision making. Case studies supported the methodology development. A case related to water handprint in water treatment in the mining industry is presented in this paper.
Communication. The handprint approach provides an important addition to life cycle studies. Handprints can be used by organizations to communicate the environmental benefits of their products, services, and technologies. They also serve as an aid to identify improvement potential throughout the life cycle of an offering, thus supporting product development and decision making. Case studies supported the methodology development. A case related to water handprint in water treatment in the mining industry is presented in this paper.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | E3S Web Conferences, 10th International Conference on Life Cycle Management (LCM 2021) |
| Publisher | EDP Sciences |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 May 2022 |
| MoE publication type | B3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings |
| Event | 10th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, LCM 2021 - Stuttgart, Germany Duration: 5 Sept 2021 → 8 Sept 2021 https://www.lcm2021.org/ |
Publication series
| Series | E3S Web of Conferences |
|---|---|
| Volume | 349 |
| ISSN | 2555-0403 |
Conference
| Conference | 10th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, LCM 2021 |
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| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Stuttgart |
| Period | 5/09/21 → 8/09/21 |
| Internet address |
Funding
The research was conducted as part of the Environmental Handprint project co-funded by Business Finland, Andritz, Biolan, Borealis Polymers, Ekox Finland, Gasum, HyXo, Lassila & Tikanoja, Neste, Nordic Investment Bank, Outotec, Paptic, UPMKymmene, Semantum, Sitra, Stora Enso, Pääkaupunkiseudun Kierrätyskeskus, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT.
