Updated 10/05/2002

Life Cycle Assessment

(In cooperation with Professor Robert Ayres of INSEAD and others)

Documents

Events

Related MMSD Reports

This study focused first on bringing together a group of recognized experts in life cycle analysis of metals to identify the chief methodological issues and difficulties in life cycle analysis of several metals (zinc, lead, copper and nickel). Informed by that process, one or more life cycle analysis/analyses of each of these metals was completed. The results were evaluated in a final research workshop which was asked to develop recommendations.

With the assistance of the International Copper Association, MMSD held a workshop on life cycle analysis (LCA) in New York on 9-10 August 2001. This involved 35 representatives of industry, government, NGOs and academia.

One of the main purposes of the event was to discuss the draft report on a life cycle study of copper and by-product metals that was commissioned by MMSD and undertaken by Professor Robert Ayres and co-workers. This contains a global model of copper demand and supply. Following some debate concerning the size of remaining physical reserves of copper from a technical point of view, much of the discussion focused on how copper may be better managed as a global asset to society rather than as an expendable resource. The negative impacts of copper production - particularly in areas remote from the point of final use - were of concern to some participants. It was also clear from the meeting that there is an urgent need to assess the scope for increasing the recycling of this metal. Lack of data collection and availability on scrap flows in the major markets makes analysis of the potential for recycling difficult. MMSD hopes that the copper study will encourage parallel work for other metals.

The meeting also involved discussion of the role of LCA in moving towards more sustainable metal cycles. Contrasting perspectives of industry, government and NGOs were presented. There was debate as to whether the conventional environmental considerations of LCA can be extended to include the social and economic implications of product manufacture and use that are relevant to sustainable development. Many participants agreed that the quality and transparency of data used in LCAs has to be improved if this tool is to be applied more widely.

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Documents

Professor Ayres' draft paper “The Life Cycle of Copper, its Co-products and By-products” (PDF 699KB)

Events

Life Cycle Analysis Workshop
9-10 August 2001 New York, USA
Hosted by MMSD and the International Copper Association (ICA)

Workshop Report
(PDF 481KB)

MMSD Working Papers related to this activity:

Ayres, Robert; Ayres, Leslie; Råde, Ingrid
The Life Cycle of Copper, its Co-Products and By-Products

Report
(PDF 2.25MB)

Ayres, Robert; Ayres, Leslie; Råde, Ingrid
The Life Cycle of Copper, its Co-Products and By-Products
Annexes, Figures, Tables

Report
(PDF 1000KB)

CRU International
Development of the Minerals Cycle and the Need for Minerals

Report
(PDF 4.5MB)

For a full list of MMSD Working Papers, click here.

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