What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and how is it used in humanitarian procurement?

• A. It analyzes only the aesthetic design of products.
• B. It is used to analyze environmental impacts of products from cradle to grave to guide lower-impact procurement.
• C. It evaluates only supplier labor standards.
• D. It excludes transport and disposal considerations.

Answer: (B)

Life Cycle Assessment is a structured way to quantify environmental impacts across the full life cycle of a product—starting with raw materials, through manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal. In humanitarian procurement, this information helps buyers choose products that minimize overall environmental harm while still meeting safety and performance needs. By comparing options on factors like energy use, emissions, water use, and waste at every stage, procurement teams can steer choices toward lower-impact materials, packaging, and logistics, and can set supplier requirements to reduce footprint. It also ensures that transport and disposal are considered, rather than being ignored or limited to a single phase.