Question

7.1. Explain briefly what you understand by each of the following terms, as used in the context of Life Cycle Assessment. Provide an example in each case.   

Problem Shifting

Functional Unit

Characterisation             

please type it in a computer   

Answer 1

1. Problem shifting:
   • During life cycle assessment, while solving the problems, some problems can't be solved completely. Then, it is necessary to shift the problem partially from one stage of life cycle to another stage of life cycle. And also it may necessitate to shift from one location to another location because of environmental impacts. Some time it will be necessary to shift from present state to future state.
     • Example: Production of Steel & Aluminum car frames.
2. Functional Unit:
   • In Life Cycle assessment, another important element is Functional Unit. This is a measurement of function related to inputs and outputs for comparison. With function unit, it will be possible to retrieve the references of all the data in the product manufacturing system. Systems of product manufacturing must have comparable outputs and should fulfill the same performance as that of functional unit.
     • Example: Whether to perform a particular activity - example going to office whether by train or car.
3. Characterisation:
   • It is a quantitative representation of the importance of a specific intervention. To know the relative contribution to the environmental impact, all the substances are multiplied by a factor, which gives the total impact of a product in each category.
     • Example: The toxic impacts of chemical emissions.