Challenge Assessing the sustainability of emerging technologies is inherently complex. While frameworks such as environmental life cycle assessment (e-LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (s-LCA) exist, there is no universally accepted methodology capable of holistically evaluating future technologies across these three pillars. Existing guidelines, such as those from the Life Cycle Initiative, provide direction but are not tailored to the dynamic nature of technology development and real-world scalability.
Solution To address this gap the project team is developing a dynamic Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methodology that integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This comprehensive approach combines e-LCA, LCC, and s-LCA into a unified framework, designed specifically to accommodate the uncertainties and transitions involved in scaling up novel technologies. The model emphasises adaptability and contextual sensitivity, making it possible to more accurately assess sustainability outcomes as technologies evolve from lab to commercial deployment.
Impact The proposed dynamic LCSA framework will provide researchers, developers, and decision-makers with a robust tool to evaluate the true sustainability of future technologies. It supports more informed R&D investment, policy development, and commercialisation pathways by accounting for lifecycle trade-offs across environmental, financial, and social domains. This approach has the potential to become a new standard in sustainability evaluation that aligns closely with the complexities of innovation and the goals of a circular, low-impact future.
