Improved access to good quality life cycle data and databases as well as expanded use of key environmental indicators that allows the measurement and monitoring of progress towards the environmental sustainability of selected product chains.

A global process for awareness raising on life cycle thinking and the need for available life cycle based tools and data will be put in place starting with the rapidly and growing economies, and from there on involving more developing countries. North-south and south-south cooperation is part of the strategic approach towards an effective global outreach. This will result in two work streams towards the:

Engagement of databases managers and the set up of a global guidance for LCA databases network with the aim to exchange and promote the generation of more data and databases that are accessible, exchangeable.

Launch of a multi-stakeholder roundtable aiming at consensus building on a limited number of LCA based key environmental indicators with the involvement of potential and current decision makers in Governments, private sector and the academia. Criteria for the identification and selection of key priority indicators will be agreed along the process.

The resulting deliverables are presented below.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) through the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative