So what kind of data do you actually need to make a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of your products? Think of the energy usage for your manufacturing and waste processes, data on your purchased & used raw materials, etc. Much data can be found in your own finance or purchase department. But with supply chain data (e.g. purchased raw materials) it’s trickier. How do you get to know the exact raw impact behind the specific materials you purchase? It’s information your suppliers hold.
This raw supply chain data is called primary data. And it’s crucial for credible footprint calculations. The other option is secondary data. Meaning already existing scientific databases collected by previous researchers.
To get a comprehensive look into the differences and uses of each of these types of data, we spoke to Ecocahin’s Zazala Quist – who recently did a deep dive into all things data.
In this episode:
- The difference between primary and secondary data in LCA
- Which form of data is the best?
- And what you can conclude, based on the data you have used.
And take a closer look at these two different types of data in Zazala’s thorough article.
Don’t forget to connect with our host Hanni Larma on LinkedIn to keep up to date on the latest sustainability topics.
‘Speaking of Sustainability’ is a podcast where we speak to frontrunners, innovators and experts on how they make their field more sustainable.
In our weekly episodes, we share the knowledge, tools, and tactics, that sustainable business leaders need to make an impact. Our topics range from climate science and environmental regulations to internal engagement on sustainability, environmental footprinting, and design.
