Which technique is used to assess the environmental impacts throughout a product's life cycle?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive method used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life—from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal. This technique considers various environmental indicators, such as resource use, emissions, and waste generation, providing a holistic view of a product's environmental footprint.

Unlike other methods, such as environmental monitoring, which typically focuses on measuring pollution levels or environmental conditions at a specific moment in time, LCA assesses impacts across the entire life cycle. This helps businesses and policymakers to identify opportunities for improvements in sustainability and to make informed decisions about product design and supply chain management.

The method is essential in fostering sustainable practices as it enables organizations to understand the long-term environmental consequences of their products and promotes strategies that minimize negative impacts throughout the product's duration.