The role and importance of databases

Transcription

1 Philip Strothmann Consultant, UNEP DTIE ERSCP- EMSU

2 The role and importance of databases No data No result! Fuel for decision support and product optimization! Mapping reality in a model, before changing reality! No adequate data - No adequate decision support No own data No specific result! Own data and background data! Unit process data and aggregated data No common principles No consistent results! Any data (own and other) should fit in comparable principles

3 Background and History Decision in 2007 to produce a manual on developing a countries Life Cycle Inventory database for energy systems. However, the manual was not finalized due to the number of diverging comments, especially on development of databases Process to address this issue more generally was launched in September 2009 More than 10 stakeholder consultaeons held in various regions for scoping purposes Formed steering commigee consislng of 12 members balanced across geographies and sectors

4 LCA data base work is international Countries/ Regions Australia Brazil Canada Chile China EU Japan Korea Malaysia Mexico New Zealand Thailand Switzerland USA Industry Associa3ons European FederaLon of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) InternaLonal Aluminium AssociaLon InternaLonal Copper InsLtute (ICI) PlasLcs Europe worldsteel Universi3es (and Partners) CIRAIG Sustainability ConsorLum University of StuUgart - LBP and also commercial databases ü Collectively, these data sources support a variety of user needs.

5 Workshop - Methodology Global in geography with representalon from developed and developing countries, final parlcipants included 48 auendees from 23 countries Balance of data and study providers (primarily consultants and industry associalons) with users, including IGOs, government, industry, NGOs, and academics Needed neutral and rigorous process with parlcipants agreeing to strict ground rules SETAC- developed Pellston Process used to create structure and agenda

6 Agreements and defini3ons achieved General principles for database management Glossary (105 terms based on ISO and other sources, it includes new terms too) Clear roles of users, database managers and dataset providers Life cycle database registry: A global database in which quality life cycle databases can be registered. Life cycle inventory database: A system intended to organize, store, and retrieve large amounts of digital LCI datasets easily.

7 High level guidance and recommenda3ons Development of datasets for LCI databases must begin with planning for data colleclon Maximize transparency whenever possible Data documentalon and review must assume a central posilon DifferenLate what does or does not consltute an LCI database AdapLve approaches have a place in supporlng LC data needs AcLvely anlcipate global informalon system trends don t be reaclve

8 Overall Principles for LCA Databases Accessibility Accountability (linked to responsibility and liability) Accuracy Completeness Consistency (non- contradictory use of methodologies, models, data, and assump:ons ) Exchangeability and compalbility Materiality and relevance (the use of data relevant and significant to a user s need) PracLcality (feasible) Quality Reproducibility Transparency (ensures open, comprehensive, and understandable presenta:on of informa:on )

9 Structure of the Guidance Principles

10 The ISO series connec3on ü Descriptive, less specific v ISO LCA Principles and framework v ISO LCA Requirements and guidelines v ISO TR Examples of applicalon v ISO TS Data documentalon format ü Global Guidance Chapters 1, 4, 5, and 6 ü Global Guidance Chapters 2 and 3 ü EC- JRC: InternaLonal Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook (for example) (a) ü More specific and operalonal i.e. How to (a) Other examples include: Carbon footprint database (Japan) and National LCI database (USA)

11 Suppor3ng ac3vi3es A. Regional awareness communica3on/ training Chile (December, 2011) North Africa (December, 2011) Japan (January, 2012) Thailand (June, 2012) Lima (Aug, 2012) India (Aug, 2012) Russia (2013) B. Training Brazil (September, 2012) China (October, 2012) ü LCM France, Lille, Nov 2012 ü SETAC LCA Case Study Denmark Nov 2012 ü LCM ü India Aug, 2012 ü 3 rd LCM China Conf TBC ü 3 rd LCM Brazil Sept 2012 ü Global guidance ü Bangkok, June 2012 ü LCA/LCM Seminar Peru, Aug 2012 ü Africa ü CILCA 2013, Mendoza ü Argen3na, March Early 2013 ü Countries with LC networks

12 For more informa3on: Secretariat SCP Branch, UNEP DTIE, Paris hup://