This definitions covers Key Definitions within Life Cycle Assessment for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Life Cycle Assessment in Using Resources for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 11 of 16 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Topic position
Section 11 of 16
Practice
20 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
📖 Key Definitions
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A systematic method for evaluating the total environmental impact of a product or process across its entire life — from extraction of raw materials through manufacturing, use, and final disposal.
Cradle to grave: A phrase describing the full lifespan of a product from the extraction of raw materials (the "cradle") to its final disposal (the "grave"). All stages in between are included in the environmental assessment.
Carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases (mainly CO₂) produced by a product, person, or process throughout its lifecycle, expressed in kg or tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Environmental impact: The effect that a product or process has on the natural environment, including effects on air, water, land, and biodiversity.
Cradle to cradle: An extension of LCA where the end of a product's life is not disposal, but rather the beginning of a new product — creating a closed-loop circular system with no waste.