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(218) How to include the life support system in the Areas of Protection for LCIA. Udo de Haes, Helias1, Lindeijer, Erwin2, 1 2 ABSTRACT- In ISO 14042 product systems are regarded to lead to impacts on human health, natural resources and natural environment. In the SETAC-Europe working group on Life Cycle Impact Assessment these are called the "Areas of Protection", or safeguard subjects. A clear picture of the content of these Areas of Protection is essential for a so-called top-down approach in LCIA. A case is made that the three areas of protection, as distinguished by ISO, on the one hand do not cover the full range of elements which society wants to protect against environmental damage, and on the other hand are not sufficiently specific. A case will be made to include the man-made environment and the Life Support System as new (sub-)areas of protection. The consequences of this proposal will be discussed, focusing on: the need to be encompassing regarding the elements to be protected, the need to avoid overlap between (sub-)areas of protection, the need to avoid an undue broadening of the scope of LCIA, the system boundary between product system and environment, the choice of category indicators, the relationship with the societal values involved, and the terminology to be used. Key words: Life Cycle Impact Assessment, Areas of Protection, Life Support System, Choice of category indicators |
