Resource scarcity refers to the limited availability of natural resources relative to their demand. 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 an 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.
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.
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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