Module Information
Module Identifier
BEM2605
Module Title
Life Cycle Assessment 4 (Ecolabelling, Social LCA and Sustainability Assessment)
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Report Passmark of 50%. 1500 Words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Report Passmark of 50%. 1500 Words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of LCA and carbon-footprinting studies in the implementation of environmental improvements
Identify the benefits and limitations of Ecolabelling, Social LCA, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
Brief description
This module explores the role of eco-labelling Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and carbon-footprinting in supporting the implementation of environmental improvements in value chains form the perspective of the producer, the consumer and the environment. The concepts of Social LCA and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessments are introduced and explored
Content
Through a series of online lectures, guided reading and quizzes, students will explore:
• Ecolabelling and Implementing Change
• Describe and discuss the barriers and challenges to implementing reductions in the impacts of production
• Discuss the role of LCA and carbon-footprinting studies in supporting the implementation of environmental improvements in value chains
• Assess the role, benefits and limitations of eco-labelling from the perspective of the producer, the consumer and the environment.
• Introduction to Social LCA
• Describe the key elements of social LCA
• Discuss the main challenges for social LCA
• Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
• Describe and assess the key elements of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
• Discuss the role of stakeholders in life cycle studies
Learning will be tested with formative quizzes and by a summative masters level report at the end of the module
• Ecolabelling and Implementing Change
• Describe and discuss the barriers and challenges to implementing reductions in the impacts of production
• Discuss the role of LCA and carbon-footprinting studies in supporting the implementation of environmental improvements in value chains
• Assess the role, benefits and limitations of eco-labelling from the perspective of the producer, the consumer and the environment.
• Introduction to Social LCA
• Describe the key elements of social LCA
• Discuss the main challenges for social LCA
• Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
• Describe and assess the key elements of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
• Discuss the role of stakeholders in life cycle studies
Learning will be tested with formative quizzes and by a summative masters level report at the end of the module
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Creative Problem Solving | The MCQ exam will pose theoretical problems for the students to solve. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Students will be expected to synthesise complex information |
| Digital capability | Students will be required to examine and synthesize quantitative data from a range of publications and databases to develop answers for their MCQ exam |
| Real world sense | This module will provide the students with and introduction to Ecolabelling, Social LCA and Sustainability Assessments; they will be assessed on their understanding of this information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches covered |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7