Billions of dollars worth of Australian projects engage rating tools that require Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) information on products. Life Cycle based environmental assessment standards allow companies to demonstrate the environmental benefits of their product.

Life Cycle Management (LCM) presents growth opportunities for companies across all sectors. By understanding the environmental impact of products, companies can improve performance and identify opportunities for reducing capital and operating costs. Bringing together different skill sets within companies and looking at products and services systematically, LCM drives innovation and can lead to more efficient production, greater wealth creation and employment growth.

The 9th Australian Conference for LCM and LCA will enable business leaders and policy makers and industry experts to explore the strategic application of life cycle approaches. Through understanding the drivers and benefits of LCM and sharing their experiences in implementation, attendees will gain insight into the latest tools and work together to develop collaborative approaches.

As new markets embrace green standards, LCA information may soon be essential for products sold to many international markets. Already in the European market, EU is testing specific LCA rules for batteries and accumulators, decorative paints, hot and cold water supply pipes, household detergents, intermediate paper product, IT equipment, leather, metal sheets, non-leather shoes, photovoltaic electricity generation, stationery, thermal insulation, T-shirts, uninterruptible power supply, beer, coffee, dairy, feed for food-producing animals, fish, meat (bovine, pigs, sheep), olive oil, packed water, pasta, pet food (cats & dogs) and wine.

Globally, consumers are prepared to pay more for products and services for companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact, according to a 2014 Neilson survey. In fact, Australia and its neighbours are leading this demand with 64% of people in the Asia Pacific and 40% in Europe prepared to put their money towards positive social and environmental changes.

About Life Cycle Management (LCM)
LCM helps companies manage the environmental, social and economic impacts of their product and services over their entire life cycle. By integrating the life cycle perspective in overall management and bringing product and process development in a more sustainable direction, the organisation can harvest the benefits of environmental, occupational health and safety, risk and quality management, as well as developing and applying cleaner process and product options. Incorporating life cycle and sustainability management will improve image and brand value for both world market players as well as smaller suppliers and producers.

Aims for the conference
Present applications of LCM to drive value in Australian and international companies,
Increase the uptake of LCM and related approaches in Australian companies,
Support information sharing and exchange of experience regarding environmental decision-making,
Examine approaches to increase the environmental competitiveness and efficiency of Australian companies,
Show the recent developments in using LCM for strategy including, methodologies, approaches and tools, and
Understand the challenges for Australian companies in an international context.

Topics
Environmental footprinting and labelling
Business case examples of Life Cycle Management for sustainable value creation
Life Cycle thinking as a driver for eco innovation
The role of Life Cycle thinking in new or fringe economic models, particularly circular economy, the sharing economy and industrial ecology
LCM along the supply chain
LCM and communication
From projects to processes to implement LCM in business
Life Cycle tools and techniques
LCA databases and datasets (including quality, assurance and verification)
Integrating social aspects in LCM
Organisational LCA (OLCA)