Entering a new three-year phase, Stage 11, Swedish Life Cycle Center takes an important step forward in advancing life cycle assessment (LCA) research and application. With a renewed focus, the center is dedicated to turning life cycle thinking into action.

“When the center’s board reviewed our strategic direction, the conclusion was clear: life cycle thinking and life cycle assessment have gained significant ground and are now applied in increasingly diverse ways, from policy to product development. It was time to raise the bar,” says Maria Rydberg, Director of Swedish Life Cycle Center.

This ambition is reflected in the center’s new vision:

Accelerate sustainable transition through science-based life cycle action.

“We not only envision applied life cycle thinking but also push towards life cycle action for a sustainable future,” says Maria Rydberg.

Addressing key challenges in LCA research

As LCA research evolves, new challenges emerge. Gregory Peters, Scientific Director of Swedish Life Cycle Center, points out several issues that require further exploration.

“There are so many challenges that warrant LCA research. The most appropriate ways to do social LCA, how to handle all the unknowns in the inventories and effects of synthetic chemicals, and how to communicate LCA results in a world that elects leaders who see science as a political enemy,” says Gregory Peters.

A key challenge is achieving a broad overview of these complex issues. While research often focuses on specific methodological details, broader gaps and connections often remain unexplored.

“Creating an overview of the challenges is a worthwhile challenge in itself, as most doctoral research tends to focus in on particular methodological matters,” says Gregory Peters.

Building on a strong foundation

With Stage 11 in motion, the center is committed to taking life cycle thinking to the next level, turning it into concrete actions that drive sustainability across sectors.

“Our network is one of our greatest strengths, filled with so much knowledge and driven by a spirit of collaboration and joint development. The collaborative environment within our network is invaluable as we strive towards our goals,” says Maria Rydberg.

With a growing need for science-based sustainability strategies, the center’s role has never been more important.

“Greg mentioned the challenges we face. I hope Swedish Life Cycle Center can be a place for overcoming some of these challenges – a place for meaningful dialogues, fruitful collaborations, and joint progress. We will continue to build on the strong foundation of the center, supported by a great crowd of partners, a technical secretariat with ideas and energy, and a new vision and mission,” says Maria Rydberg.

Learn more

Read our operational plan to learn more about the new stage for Swedish Life Cycle Center.

Operational Plan Stage 11

Stage 11 is set between 2025 and 2027.