Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

In this course, the participants familiarize approaches and tools for measuring sustainability. They apply life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis tools for a case and evaluate the results in an analytic and critical approach and learn to communicate about the results. They will assess measurement tools and interpretation of results.

After completing the course, the participants can:
- Describe tools for measuring sustainability
- conduct a simple LCA analysis and interpret the results
- reflect importance of sustainability measuring in the development of circular economy
- present development ideas about utilizing LCA in sustainability measuring

Content (course unit)

Sustainability measurement tools and approaches
LCA software tools in sustainability measuring
Analysis and interpretation of LCA results

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can recognise and define sustainability measurement tools. The student can conduct LCA analysis when assisted. The student can work in a group but the role in development and analyses actions and outcomes of the team remains unclear. The student gives and receives feedback but considers and assesses things only from his/her own point of view, without being able to generalize and contextualize.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student can explain and compare sustainability measurement tools. The student can conduct LCA analysis independently using instructions and tutorials. The student works in a group as an active member and has a role in development and analyses actions and outcomes of the team. The student can give and receive feedback actively and constructively and is able to generalize and conceptualize his/her views.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student can analyse and generalise sustainability measurement tools and relate to professional context. The student can conduct LCA analysis independently using instructions and tutorials and assess diverse solution alternatives. The student can search for diverse courses of action and solution alternatives, justify the choices, and try new courses of action. The student has a leading role in the development and analyses actions and outcomes of the team. The student uses feedback systematically as a professional tool for growth in his/her own work and for the benefit of the team.

Location and time

Meetings during the intensive week:
11.1. at 9-16 in B6-34b
12.1. at 9-12 in B6-34b

Online meetings:
TBA

The course will be completed by the end of May.

Exam schedules

No exam.

Assessment methods and criteria

All assignments must be completed and approved upon the given schedule.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, demonstrations, online-learning, group work, individual assignments.

The main LCA software used during the course is openLCA by Greendelta (version 1.11 or later). The openLCA is an open source software and it is recommended that you download and install it to your computer before the course starts. The openLCA is available from https://www.openlca.org/.

Learning materials

All materials will be provided by the teachers and they will be availble via the Moodle.

Recommended text book is Klöpffer, W, Grahl, B, & Klöpffer, W 2014, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) : A Guide to Best Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, Weinheim. The book is available as an e-book version via the university's library.

Students are recommended to download the LCA standard for themselves to be used as a reference material during the course. You can access the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards via the SFS Online service that is accessible via the university's library.

The best way to get access to the materials above, is to use the ANDOR search engine.

Student workload

Participation to meetings (intensive week and online meetings), 14 hrs. Emphasis is on group work and self-study.

Content scheduling

Meetings during the intensive week:
11.1. at 9-16 in B6-34b
12.1. at 9-12 in B6-34b

Online meetings:
Date and time TBC. Visiting lecturer: Ville Uusitalo, Lappeenranta University of Technology. Topic: LCA and biodiveristy.

Other online meetings TBC.

The course will be completed by the end of May.

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

Real working life examples and a couple of visiting lecturers during the course. In addition, students are encouraged to use examples from working life.

International connections

Global and internation examples and cases.

Further information

The main LCA software used during the course is openLCA by Greendelta (version 1.11 or later). The openLCA is an open source software and it is recommended that you download and install it to your computer before the course starts. The openLCA is available from https://www.openlca.org/.