Common Misconceptions

⚠️ Common Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "LCA only considers the manufacturing stage"

A complete LCA covers ALL four stages: raw material extraction, manufacturing, the use phase, AND end of life. In fact, for many products, the manufacturing or raw material stages account for the majority of environmental impact — not the use phase. For a smartphone, 85% of the impact is in raw material extraction, not during daily use. Exams will expect you to know all four stages.

Misconception 2: "An LCA result is always objective and reliable"

LCA results can be manipulated. Companies conducting their own LCAs may select boundaries that exclude unfavourable stages, use optimistic assumptions, or compare against the worst competitor rather than an industry average. This practice is sometimes called "greenwashing." Truly independent LCAs from third-party organisations are more reliable, but even these involve subjective judgments about which impacts matter most.

Misconception 3: "A lower carbon footprint automatically means a better LCA result"

Carbon footprint (greenhouse gas emissions) is only one of many factors assessed in an LCA. A product might have low CO₂ emissions but still cause significant water pollution, habitat destruction, or toxic waste. A full LCA considers multiple environmental indicators simultaneously — and sometimes improvements in one area come at the cost of another.