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UTokyo LCA Center for Future Strategy, UTLCA

UTokyo LCA Center for Future Strategy, UTLCA

1. Prospectus

Innovative technologies that contribute to achieving carbon neutrality need to be assessed throughout their life cycle in accordance with the future industrial and social structures in which they will be implemented in society. However, conventional life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates the “current” environmental impacts of a product or service. We aim to evolve the conventional LCA into a pre-emptive LCA. This approach is geared toward strategically constructing a sustainable society in the future. The logo of the organization is shown in Figure 1.

2. Organization

We are building a new collaborative platform centered around the co-creation of advanced science and technology researchers and LCA researchers. This platform involves 48 researchers across 10 faculties and institutes (as of April 1, 2024) within the university. We will also promote collaboration with domestic and international researchers and research institutions, including the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
Under this research system, we will practice pre-emptive LCA for new technologies, evaluate their environmental, social, and economic effects in 2050, develop science and technology strategies and social implementation strategies based on these evaluations, and disseminate the results widely to society. In addition, through the practical application of pre-emptive LCA and talent development activities, we nurture individuals with expertise in both advanced science and technology and LCA. This contributes to establishing Japan as a leading force in pre-emptive LCA on a global scale (Figure 2）.

3. How to create future strategies "now"?

To develop conventional LCA into pre-emptive LCA, it is necessary to hold discussions among different sectors (Figure 3) and envision future scenarios that are consistent among the systems that influence each other. In order to realize a sustainable society, a new design that strengthens the linkage between consumption and production is necessary, while also keeping abreast of developments in the international community. Through strong collaboration between researchers of UTLCA and participating companies, we address challenges related to the interaction between technology and society, talent development, and more. We promote application and verification of pre-emptive LCA while exchanging information.