A new method is available in the SimaPro 9.0 release: Environmental Prices. This method expresses the external costs of one additional unit of pollution in money and results in midpoint characterisation factors that can be used for single-score exercises in life cycle assessment (LCA). Read on to learn the basics of Environmental Prices, or check out the full Environmental Prices Handbook by CE Delft.

Standards are based on a set of metrics that allow comparison across products, organizations, or both. An overview of the latest LCA standards can help organizations to keep abreast of developments in global and regional sustainability reporting, and to understand which standards apply to their sector and how to meet them. That way, they can get the most out of their sustainability investments in a practical and timely way. What follows, then, is an overview of the best-known standards and guidelines for the product level, the organization level, or both, as well as a sneak peek at standards now under development.

Recent extreme weather events such as floodings and droughts led to an increase in recognition that sustainability is integral to economic growth. There is a heightened focus on climate adaptation, transparent corporate reporting and renewable energy adoption, driven by regulatory frameworks and growing stakeholder demands. Fortunately, 2023 and 2024 bring significant advancements in impact assessment, driving greater precision and actionable insights. This article gives an overview of developments of impact assessment methods in the years 2023 and 2024. It was written by Eline Willems and Laura Schumacher with contributions from Archana Datta, Anne-Marie Boulay, Bo Weidema, Peter Fantke, Cecille Bulle, and Valeria De Laurentiis.

Climate change is considered the number one threat for the future of our planet. To take concrete steps in the direction of mitigating climate change, we need sound standards and methodologies to quantify the impacts of our actions. There are a number of different standards to quantify the carbon footprint of products, each best suited for specific applications and target audiences despite efforts to harmonize them. In this article, we take you through the most important standards and methodologies and give you some step-by-step guidance for choosing the right one for your application.

SIMAPRO PARTNER STORY | By offering the whole package to their clients: from consulting to training to software, ACV Brasil is dedicated to bringing sustainability to Brazil. The company believes in a top-down, all-hands-on-deck approach, working with large companies as well as targeting the consumer.

SIMAPRO PARTNER STORY | Business partnerships are an integral part of PRé’s ongoing success. These relationships, which strengthen both parties, are based on synergy and transparency. By working in tandem with companies who share in our commitment to putting the metrics behind sustainability, PRé’s continued accomplishments are guaranteed. PRé spoke with a long-term partner, Miljögiraff.

Standardization created the tremendous efficiency gains that allowed the industrial revolution to happen. But now the pendulum is swinging the other way - customization is on the rise. How can we offer custom products in a sustainable way?