Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Contribution Analysis: Examples

Description

This lecture introduces the concept of contribution analysis in the context of life cycle assessment, using examples such as a high-performance hand dryer and different types of coffee cups. It covers the environmental impacts of products, processes, and services, focusing on human health, ecosystem quality, and climate change. The analysis includes impact profiles, damage scores, and contributions to specific impact categories, emphasizing the importance of evaluating impacts throughout the life cycle.

Official source

Related concepts (29)

Climate change

In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to Earth's climate. The current rise in global average temperature is more rapid than previous changes, and is primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices increase greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide and methane.

Climate change denial

Climate change denial or global warming denial is dismissal or unwarranted doubt that contradicts the scientific consensus on climate change. Those promoting denial commonly use rhetorical tactics to give the appearance of a scientific controversy where there is none. Climate change denial includes doubts to the extent of how much climate change is caused by humans, its effects on nature and human society, and the potential of adaptation to global warming by human actions.

Environmental impact assessment

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is the assessment of the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, program, or actual projects prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. In this context, the term "environmental impact assessment" is usually used when applied to actual projects by individuals or companies and the term "strategic environmental assessment" (SEA) applies to policies, plans and programmes most often proposed by organs of state.

Politics of climate change

The politics of climate change results from different perspectives on how to respond to climate change. Global warming is driven largely by the emissions of greenhouse gases due to human economic activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, certain industries like cement and steel production, and land use for agriculture and forestry. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have provided the main source of energy for economic and technological development.

Climate change adaptation

Climate change adaptation is the process of adjusting to the effects of climate change. These can be both current or expected impacts. Adaptation aims to moderate or avoid harm for people. It also aims to exploit opportunities. Humans may also intervene to help adjustment for natural systems. There are many adaptation strategies or options.They can help manage impacts and risks to people and nature. We can classify adaptation actions in four ways. These are infrastructural and technological; institutional; behavioural and cultural; and nature-based options.

Related lectures (32)

Climate Change: Impacts on Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Examines the effects of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity, focusing on species adaptation, migration, and the implications for ecological balance.

Climate Change: The Assessment

Covers the assessment of climate change, focusing on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.

Analysis Framework: Damages

Covers the analysis framework for evaluating life cycle impacts, emphasizing climate change, environmental interventions, impact categories, and uncertainty in environmental data interpretation.

Global Climate Issues: Course Overview

Covers global climate issues, impacts, policies, and mechanisms to slow down climate change through group work and project management.

Impact Score Calculation: Damage Level