Resource scarcity refers to the limited availability of natural resources relative to their demand, representing a fundamental constraint on economic activities and human wellbeing. In Life Cycle Assessment, resource scarcity is addressed as an environmental concern related to the depletion of both renewable and non-renewable resources throughout a product's life cycle.
ISO 14040 recognises resource depletion as a key area of concern in impact assessment, though the standards do not prescribe specific methods for quantifying scarcity impacts. Resource scarcity encompasses various categories of natural resources, including mineral and metal ores, fossil fuels, water, land, and biomass. The scarcity of these resources can be assessed through multiple dimensions: physical availability in the Earth's crust or biosphere, economic accessibility based on extraction costs and market dynamics, and geopolitical availability influenced by resource distribution and trade relationships.
In Life Cycle Impact Assessment, resource scarcity impacts are typically evaluated at the midpoint level through indicators such as abiotic depletion potential or surplus ore potential, which measure the reduction in future availability of resources due to current extraction. At the endpoint level, resource scarcity can be expressed in terms of increased future extraction costs or reduced availability for future generations, connecting directly to sustainability concerns as defined in the Brundtland principle of meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.
The assessment of resource scarcity must consider both the quantity extracted and the quality of remaining reserves, as extraction typically proceeds from higher-grade to lower-grade deposits. This progressive depletion increases the environmental burden and economic cost of future extraction, creating an intergenerational equity issue central to Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment.
