Impact assessment models that are used to interpret LCIA data are still emerging and evolving internationally. The widespread use of several different methodologies creates confusion over which methodology to use and criticism when the use of LCA gives different results depending on the methodology chosen.
The A Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method for Australia reports on one of the components of a three-year project completed in 2011. This was jointly funded by the Building Products Innovation Council (BPIC) and AusIndustry to establish a toolkit of resources that will permit comprehensive level playing field LCA of building and construction materials and products, building elements and assemblies, and whole buildings in Australia.
The aim of this paper is to propose a set of environmental impact categories and characterisation methods for a mid-point LCIA method to allow for consistent comparisons between LCA studies.
