1. Baseline assessment and stakeholder mapping and engagement

Understanding the status, needs and main users of a national LCA Database is key.  This includes understanding the interests and degree of influence of the main stakeholders (see below), as well as building on previous experiences. A baseline assessment includes making an overview of the already available data as well as the current applications of LCA in a country, for instance those driven by legislation. That will identify the gap between data availability and data needs from the main users.

Broad stakeholder engagement in the roadmap process is needed to make sure that these groups are involved later in the database development process.

It is recommended to engage stakeholder groups that can be expected to fulfil different roles or carry any stake in the national LCA database project.

Stakeholders to consider, map and start engaging with are:

  1. government agencies for governance, hosting and/or funding;
  2. researchers and consultants as experts in LCI modelling and technical aspects;
  3. public and private sector companies and industry associations as data providers and project funders;
  4. NGOs or representatives of civil society as facilitators and advocates of public interests (e.g. for the uptake of, and harmonization with, impact assessment developments).

All these groups are also potential users of the final LCA database.

Next > Establish a national database working group and wider advisory group

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