ReCiPe
Table of contents
No headersA SimaPro database containing the ReCiPe method can be downloaded here
This site presents the ReCiPe methodology for Life Cycle Assessment Impact Assessment. The objective is twofold:
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Provide generic information on the method, how to apply it, and on which principles it is based
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Provided detailed information on the models used, and allow every researcher to analyse and potentially improve the models
ReCiPe was created by the RIVM, CML , PRé Consultants, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen and CE Delft. The ReCiPe report can be downloaded from this page.The supporting information information is also available, it gives background data on the chapters of the main report. The actual characterisation factors can be found here. If you have questions please contact Mark Goedkoop
Quick introduction into ReCiPe LCIA Methodology Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodological tool used to quantitatively analyse the life cycle of products/activities. ISO 14040 and 14044 provide a generic framework.
After goal and scope has been determined, data has been collected, an inventory result is calculated. This inventory result is usually a very long list of emissions, consumed resources and sometimes other items. The interpretation of this list is difficult. An LCIA procedure, such as the ReCiPe method is designed to help with this interpretation.
The primary objective of the ReCiPe method, is to transform the long list of inventory results, into a limited number of indicator scores. These indicator scores express the relative severity on an environmental impact category. In ReCiPe we determine indicators at two levels:- 1. Eighteen midpoint indicators
- 2. Three endpoint indicators
ReCiPe uses an environmental mechanism as the basis for the modelling. An environmental mechanism can be seen as a series of effects that together can create a certain level of damage to for instance, human health or ecosystems. For instance, for climate change we know that a number of substances, increases the radiative forcing, this means heat is prevented from being radiated from the earth to space. As a result, more energy is trapped on earth, and temperature increases. As a result of this we can expect changes in habitats for living organisms, and as a result of this species may go extinct.
From this example it is clear that the longer one makes this environmental mechanism the higher the uncertainties get. The radiative forcing is a physical parameter, that can be relatively easily measured in a laboratory. The resulting temperature increase is less easy to determine, as there are many parallel positive and negative feedbacks. Our understanding of the expected change in habitat is also not complete, etc.
Figure 1.1: Example of a harmonised midpoint-endpoint model for climate change, linking to human health and ecosystem damage.
So the obvious benefit of taking only the first step is the relatively low uncertainty.
ReCiPe combines mid- and endpoints
In ReCiPe we indeed calculate eighteen of such midpoint indicators, but also calculate three much more uncertain endpoint indicators. The motivation to calculate the endpoint indicators, is that the large number of midpoint indicators are very difficult to interpret, partially as there are too many, partially because they have a very abstract meaning. How to compare radiative forcing with base saturation numbers that express acidification? The indicators at the endpoint level are intended to facilitate easier interpretation, as there are only three, and they have a more understandable meaning
- Eighteen robust midpoints, that are relatively robust, but not easy to interpret
- Three easy to understand, but more uncertain endpoints:
- Damage to Human health
- Damage to ecosystems
- Damage to resource availability
The user can thus choose between uncertainty in the indicators, and uncertainty on the correct interpretation of indicators.
The figure below provides the overall structure of the method
