Learning how to make LCA count in business models
Assessing the Environmental Performance of Business Models, March 18, 2026
On March 18th, 19 eager course participants from industry and academia gathered to learn how to switch perspective: from product system LCA to business model LCA. Hosted by the Swedish Life Cycle Center, Chalmers professor Henrikke Baumann and postdoc researcher Ana Carolina Bertassini led the one-day course “Assessing the Environmental Performance of Business Models” filled with inspirational examples and food for thought.
Is rental or sales best? Under which circumstances? In the course, the participants were introduced to various case studies covering the textile industry, reusable plastic cups and air purifiers, and got to learn how business model LCA can be used to analyse, compare and improve business models. The course included group work where the participants got to share experiences and discuss the relevance for their own industry and projects.
More important than ecodesign
Many are experienced with LCA but few with business models. Business model LCA offers a more strategic lens than traditional LCA by linking environmental impact to business value. Professor Baumann pinpoints the potential of linking economic and material flows: “If we want LCA to work for environmental change it has to be more relevant for the business environment”.
Appreciated learning
During the course, the participants engaged actively and appreciated the case study focus and numerous opportunities to discuss. Several participants plan to test the method in their own organization. The course received excellent feedback, with an average ranking of 9,4 out of 10.
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