Unlocking the Potential of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Aviation
Sustainability is increasingly central to projects and research, from disruptive technologies to new energy carriers. Meaningful research requires a holistic approach to address complex factors, avoid burden shifting, and ensure effective strategies. At the Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, researchers use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate emerging technologies, focusing on the environmental impacts of maintenance—often key to long-term sustainability. Neglecting these factors can undermine the benefits of innovative solutions.
What is LCA and why is it relevant for aviation?
LCA evaluates environmental impacts across a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, following DIN EN ISO 14040/14044 standards. It identifies ways to reduce emissions and resource use. Aviation contributes 3.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions projected to double by 2050 due to rapid growth [3,4]. In this context, LCA is crucial for holistically assessing and reducing the sector’s environmental footprint.
The LCA Process consists of 4 steps. 1) Goal and Scope – this phase describes the reason for conducting the study, and elements such as the functional unit, system boundaries, and life cycle coverage. 2) Life Cycle Inventory – here, data on environmental inputs and outputs is gathered and modelled. 3) Life Cycle Impact Assessment – the step, in which the inventory data is translated into environmental impacts, ranging from different impact categories, such as climate change, water use, and acidification. The Interpretation phase happens concurrently throughout the whole process, helping tracking progress and allowing for adjustments when needed.
LCAs also support achieving environmental targets and informed decision-making, identifying hotspots and comparing the performance of products or services. In the face of increasing pressure from the public and regulatory auditing, the inclusion of LCA in aviation is no longer optional, but must be recognised as a necessity.
Interactive Learning: Theory Meets Practice
In November 2024, the institute's Product Lifecycle Management Department held a workshop to publicise and strengthen the topic within and outside DLR, with the participation of external partners. The workshop combined foundational LCA concepts with hands-on learning to make the methodology accessible and practical. Tailored for the aviation sector, the training began with an overview of principles, methodologies, and standards. Participants explored how the method integrates with their strategic objectives, offering insights into regulatory compliance and its role in fostering sustainable practices.
The highlight of the session was a collaborative exercise focused on evaluating the life cycle of an aircraft seatbelt. This practical activity allowed participants to:
- define system boundaries
- perform life cycle inventory analysis
- evaluate the environmental impacts using LCA tools
Through the combination of theory and practice, participants not only gained a deeper understanding of LCA steps and methodologies but also developed practical skills to identify environmental hotspots and propose comparative analyses.
After the hands-on activity, the discussion focused on the main challenges encountered during an LCA study, in particular during the data collection phase, which is often the most time-consuming. Finally, the link between LCA and broader topics such as ecodesign, circular economy, regulatory frameworks, research initiatives, planetary boundaries and others was highlighted, emphasizing the growing relevance of the method for achieving climate and societal goals.
Our team found the LCA training incredibly valuable, as it catered to our diverse levels of familiarity with the concept. Those of us with a basic understanding of LCA were able to deepen our knowledge through a hands-on example, gaining insight into the complexity and iterative nature of the process. Meanwhile, team members who had only encountered LCA as a buzzword or from a distant engineering perspective came away with a clear appreciation of its critical role in driving cleaner aviation. Across the board, we learned about the significant challenges in data collection, the risks of greenwashing due to a lack of standardization, and the confusion caused by the varying/overlapping initiatives, programs, and regulations in the field. This training underscored the need for a unified approach to ensure transparency and meaningful progress.
Looking Ahead: Expanding LCA in Aviation Research
Our research is dedicated to advancing the application of LCA in aviation and space. Key focus areas include:
- Aircraft Concepts: discrete-event life cycle assessment for conventional and new aircraft concepts and technologies.
- Aircraft Maintenance: environmental assessment of maintenance activities (bottom-up and top-down approaches).
- Aircraft Engines: environmental analyses based on process chains for engine production and maintenance.
- Inventory Management: aircraft-specific datasets for materials, production, maintenance, and flight operations.
- High-Level LCA: method development for LCA results prediction based on detailed, aircraft-specific inventories.
- Space applications: environmental strategies for end-of-life management of spacecraft, e.g., in-orbit operations.
- Uncertainty Analysis: establishing credibility and enabling informed decision-making via uncertainty and sensitivity quantification.
By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, we aim to equip the aviation and space industries with the tools and insights needed for a more sustainable future. This commitment to innovation not only advances LCA research but also supports the industry's transition to greener practices.
References
[1] ISO 14040 ISO 14040:2006 - Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework