An activity is the basic unit of action in Life Cycle Assessment, defined simply as doing or making something. The term derives from the Latin actio, meaning "doing or making", covering any transformation or action within or beyond the economy.
ISO 14040 uses the term "process" as a synonym for activity, defining it as a "set of interrelated or interacting activities that transforms inputs into outputs". However, the broader LCA definition also covers natural phenomena and social actions, not just industrial and economic processes, regardless of commercial significance.
Activities fall into two categories. The first covers Human activities, which are performed by humans, machines, or animals in human care. These include production activities such as manufacturing and agriculture, consumption activities such as eating and exercising, market activities that distribute products, and the accumulation of stocks. The second covers Environmental mechanisms, which are natural processes not performed by humans or their controlled systems, such as atmospheric dispersion of pollutants, soil degradation, or ecosystem responses to human impacts.
As Chief Operating Officer, Iris leads our organisational development and oversees day-to-day operations. Before joining 2-0, she worked in the biotechnology sector. As an LCA consultant, Iris has devoted her expertise primarily to the domains of sustainable agriculture and food production. She is dedicated to teaching LCA and is responsible for our educational efforts. Iris holds an M.Sc. in Biology – Biotechnology from the University of Copenhagen.
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Glossary terms are clearer once you have seen them applied. Our guide to what LCA is and how it works walks through the complete methodology: goal and scope, inventory modelling, impact assessment, and interpretation.
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