Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Analysis is the second phase in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework. Since the first attempts to formalize life cycle assessment in the early 1970, life cycle inventory analysis has been a central part. Chapter 1 âIntroduction to Life Cycle Inventory Analysisâ discusses the history of inventory analysis from the 1970s through SETAC and the ISO standard. In Chapter 2 âPrinciples of Life Cycle Inventory Modelingâ, the general principles of setting up an LCI model and LCI analysis are described by introducing the core LCI model and extensions that allow addressing reality better. Chapter 3 âDevelopment of Unit Process Datasetsâ shows that developing unit processes of high quality and transparency is not a trivial task, but is crucial for high-quality LCA studies. Chapter 4 âMulti-functionality in Life Cycle Inventory Analysis: Approaches and Solutionsâ describes how multi-functional processes can be identified. In Chapter 5 âData Quality in Life Cycle Inventoriesâ, the quality of data gathered and used in LCI analysis is discussed. State-of-the-art indicators to assess data quality in LCA are described and the fitness for purpose concept is introduced. Chapter 6 âLife Cycle Inventory Data and Databasesâ follows up on the topic of LCI data and provides a state-of-the-art description of LCI databases. It describes differences between foreground and background data, recommendations for starting a database, data exchange and quality assurance concepts for databases, as well as the scientific basis of LCI databases. Chapter 7 âAlgorithms of Life Cycle Inventory Analysisâ provides the mathematical models underpinning the LCI. Since Heijungs and Suh (2002), this is the first time that this aspect of LCA has been fundamentally presented. In Chapter 8 âInventory Indicators in Life Cycle Assessmentâ, the use of LCI data to create aggregated environmental and resource indicators is described. Such indicators include the cumulative energy demand and various water use indicators. Chapter 9 âThe Link Between Life Cycle Inventory Analysis and Life Cycle Impact Assessmentâ uses four examples to discuss the link between LCI analysis and LCIA. A clear and relevant link between these phases is crucial.
