What does a Qualitative LCA resemble?

A Qualitative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emphasizes descriptive analysis of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of a product or service rather than relying on quantitative metrics or mathematical modeling. This assessment often uses a matrix-like approach to organize qualitative information, allowing practitioners to evaluate various stages of the life cycle in relation to different impact categories.

In this context, the matrix structure helps systematically summarize and visualize qualitative findings, facilitating the identification of potential improvement areas or impacts that may not be strictly measured through numerical data. This contrasts with other possible representations, such as a simple report, which may present findings without the detailed comparative analysis of a matrix, or a graphical representation, which typically focuses on visual data rather than an analysis of qualitative content. Therefore, the matrix-like format effectively conveys the multi-faceted nature of sustainability assessments, reflecting the complexities and interconnectedness of the factors considered in an LCA.