Professional Certification in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientifically recognized methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle—from raw material extraction (cradle) to manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling (grave or cradle-to-cradle).

With increasing regulatory pressure, climate commitments, ESG disclosures, carbon neutrality goals, and sustainable product design requirements, LCA has become a critical decision-making tool for industries, consultants, policymakers, and sustainability professionals. Standards such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, along with frameworks like GHG Protocol, Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), EPDs, and Scope 3 emissions, strongly rely on life-cycle thinking.

This programme is designed to provide participants with a clear, structured, and practical understanding of LCA, integrating global best practices, digital LCA tools, carbon footprinting, circular economy concepts, and recent regulatory developments. The training emphasizes real-world applications, case studies, and hands-on learning, enabling participants to apply LCA effectively in industry and consulting environments.

Programme Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking and LCA

• Evolution of environmental management: end-of-pipe to life-cycle thinking
• What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
• Importance of LCA in sustainability, ESG, and climate action
• Cradle-to-grave, cradle-to-gate, gate-to-gate, and cradle-to-cradle concepts
• Applications of LCA in industry, policy, and product design
• Role of LCA in sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• Benefits of LCA for organizations: decision-making, compliance, innovation

Module 2: LCA Standards, Frameworks, and Guidelines

• ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 – principles and framework
• Relationship between LCA, carbon footprint, and water footprint
• Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) – EU perspective
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
• LCA linkage with GHG Protocol (Scope 1, 2 & 3)
• Role of LCA in ESG reporting (GRI, BRSR, CDP)
• Regulatory and market drivers for LCA (global & Indian context)

Module 3: Goal and Scope Definition

• Importance of goal definition in LCA studies
• Intended application and target audience
• Functional unit selection and system boundaries
• Allocation methods and assumptions
• Cut-off criteria and data quality requirements
• Attributional vs. consequential LCA
• Common errors and challenges in goal & scope definition

Module 4: Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Analysis

• What is Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)?
• Data collection: primary vs. secondary data
• Process flow diagrams and system modeling
• Energy, material, water, and emission inventories
• Databases overview: Ecoinvent, GaBi, ELCD
• Data gaps, uncertainty, and data validation
• Best practices for inventory data management

Module 5: Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

• Purpose and structure of LCIA
• Midpoint vs. endpoint impact categories
• Key impact categories:
• Climate change (GWP)
• Ozone depletion
• Acidification
• Eutrophication
• Photochemical smog
• Human toxicity & ecotoxicity
• Resource depletion
• Water scarcity
• Impact assessment methods (CML, ReCiPe, TRACI)
• Interpretation of LCIA results

Module 6: Interpretation, Reporting, and Critical Review

• Identifying significant issues and hotspots
• Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis
• Consistency and completeness checks
• Interpretation of results for decision-making
• Transparent LCA reporting as per ISO standards
• Critical review process and requirements
• Communicating LCA results to stakeholders

Module 7: LCA Software Tools and Digitalization

• Overview of popular LCA tools:
• SimaPro
• GaBi
• OpenLCA
• Introduction to LCA modeling workflows
• Role of digital tools and automation in LCA
• Integration of LCA with BIM, ERP, and PLM systems
• Use of AI and data analytics in sustainability assessments
• Limitations and challenges of LCA software

Module 8: Applications, Case Studies, and Future Trends

• LCA applications in:
• Manufacturing
• Construction & infrastructure
• Energy & renewables
• Food & agriculture
• Pharmaceuticals & chemicals
• Carbon footprinting and Scope 3 emissions using LCA
• LCA for eco-design and sustainable product development
• Circular economy and life-cycle thinking
• Indian and global case studies
• Future trends: net-zero, science-based targets, digital LCA
• Step-by-step roadmap to implement LCA in organizations

Eligibility

• Graduates / Diploma holders in Engineering, Science, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or allied disciplines
• ESG, EHS, and Sustainability professionals
• Environmental consultants and auditors
• Product designers and R&D professionals
• Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain managers
• Faculty members, researchers, and students
• Professionals involved in ESG, carbon management, and reporting

Programme Duration

The duration of the training is 5 days.

Programme Mode

Registration is currently open for Part-time (Online Live Classes) mode.

Programme Deliverables

• Comprehensive study material for all modules (soft copy)
• Live interactive sessions with expert faculty
• Industry-oriented explanations and practical examples
• Case studies and implementation guidance
• Participant feedback after each module
• Sessions conducted entirely in English

Assessment & Certification

An online assessment will be conducted at the end of the programme. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded the Professional Certification in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by the Centre for Environmental Health and Safety, IGMPI.

Discipline in Classes and Examination

Every student is required to observe a disciplined behaviour during her/his classes, assessments & examinations and to follow instructions from the Professors. Any act of indiscipline may result into discredit & it will be mentioned in her/his academic report.

Placement Assistance & Corporate Relations

The Institute actively supports career development through its placement assistance initiatives, with strong industry linkages across:

• Sustainability & ESG consulting
• Manufacturing & process industries
• Infrastructure & construction
• FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors

Support includes:

• Resume development
• Interview preparation
• Mock interviews
• Career guidance and industry exposure

Future Career & Organizational Benefits

• Improved sustainability and environmental performance
• Stronger ESG and carbon reporting capability
• Better decision-making for product and process design
• Enhanced compliance with global standards
• Career opportunities such as:
• LCA Analyst
• Sustainability Consultant
• ESG Specialist
• Carbon & Climate Analyst
• Environmental Auditor
• Sustainability Manager

View Prospectus

Apply Online

Last date for submitting completed Application Form: 19^th Jan 2026.

For further enquiries, call or write to us on:
18001031071 (Toll Free -9:00 am to 5:30 pm IST-except on Central Government holidays)/ info@igmpi.ac.in