ABSTRACT
It is important to apply 80/20 thinking to data collection and indicators to avoid 'paralysis by analysis'. Most global environmental standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines and ISO14001 contain mechanisms to filter out insignificant and irrelevant issues. It is interesting that the standard allows for inequality of importance among material aspects. The material and energy flows at each life cycle stage are collected together into an inventory, translated into a number of environmental impacts and then translated into one or more indicators. The main challenge in completing a life cycle assessment or a carbon footprint is gathering reliable data. It is particularly difficult to secure data from the supply chain, especially from primary industries where the impacts are greatest, but the reliability and accessibility of data is lowest. The results of a life cycle assessment usually hinge on a small number of variables.
