ecoinvent Database Training Programs

Why ecoinvent Training is Needed?

Unlock the Power of Ecoinvent: Why Training is Needed

Understanding the Database’s Depth: Ecoinvent is vast and complex. Proper training helps you:

Increased Accuracy of an LCA study: Training leads to better dataset selection and more accurate modeling, strengthening the reliability of your LCA results.
Enhanced Decision-Making: A deeper understanding of the data helps you identify environmental impact hotspots, leading to more informed decisions about product design, supply chain optimization, and sustainability strategies.

Why Training is Needed: Read More

Credibility: Proper utilization of ecoinvent lends credibility to your LCA studies, improving their acceptance by stakeholders.
Time Efficiency: Training reduces errors and streamlines your LCA process, saving you time and effort in the long run.
Leverage Excel for LCA Analysis: Learn to convert ecoinvent data into Excel-compatible formats. Conduct simplified LCA studies or additional calculations directly within the familiar spreadsheet environment.
Professional Development: Builds your competence as an LCA practitioner, potentially leading to professional opportunities.

Key Benefits of Ecoinvent Training

- methodologies behind the data.
- Interpret results accurately within the context of an LCA study.
Maximizing Data Accuracy: Ecoinvent offers several system models (Allocation at the Point of Substitution (APOS), Consequential, and Cut-off system models) for handling complex scenarios or real-world case studies. Training helps you:
- Learn the nuances of these models.
- Choose the most appropriate model for your specific LCA, leading to more reliable results.
Integration with LCA Software: Most LCA practitioners use specialized software like SimaPro, openLCA, or LCA for Experts (GaBi). Learning how to use the database is important as it is common among all the leading LCA software vendors. Training helps streamline your workflow and ensures that the data and analysis tools are compatible.
Staying Current: Ecoinvent regularly updates its data and methodologies. Training ensures you:
- Understand the latest developments in the database.
- Know how to apply new datasets or versions to your work, maintaining the cutting-edge Accuracy of your LCA studies.

Technical Reasons for Needing Ecoinvent Training

o ensure accurate and meaningful LCA results, ecoinvent training is crucial due to the following technical complexities of the database:
- Understanding System Models:
- Ecoinvent offers Allocation at the Point of Substitution (APOS), Consequential, and Cut-off system models. Each handles complex scenarios (like multi-output processes and recycling) differently.
- Training teaches you to select the most appropriate model based on your LCA’s goals and scope, ensuring results align with your research/study questions. This is critical, as the choice of system model can drastically affect the outcomes.
- Applying Industry-Specific Models:
- Training helps you understand how to apply system models within specific industries (energy, waste, plastics, chemicals, etc.). Each sector may have unique modeling needs and common scenarios where a particular model of the system excels.
- Distinguishing Unit and System Processes
- Ecoinvent provides “Unit Processes” (representing individual steps) and “System Processes” (combining multiple steps).
- Training clarifies when to use each type, ensuring you model the product system accurately within your LCA.
- Utilizing Specialized Process Types:
- Ecoinvent includes “Market Processes,” “Transformation Processes,” and “Infrastructure Processes.”
- Training explains the distinctions between these process types and when to properly use them in different modeling scenarios.
- Export and Analyze in Excel: Learn how to convert ecoinvent data into Excel-compatible formats for streamlined analysis and custom calculations within your LCA workflow.

Key Benefits of Technical ecoinvent Training Aspects

- Rigorous LCA Studies: Enhanced understanding of system models and process types leads to technically sound LCAs.
- Informed Decision Making: The ability to accurately compare alternatives using the most suitable modeling approach empowers better choices.
- Increased Confidence: Demonstrate mastery of eco invent’s complexities, boosting the credibility of your LCA results

About ecoinvent database: Over 18,000 Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) datasets (also called “activities” in ecoinvent). Used in over 40 countries, the world’s most well-known Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database. The database includes energy, resource extraction, material supply, chemicals, metals, agriculture, waste management, and transportation. The ecoinvent database provides users with information on the environmental impact of their products and services. There are about 18000 activities in the repository, sometimes called “datasets,” which represent human processes or activities. It is a repository covering a wide range of global and regional areas.

The ecoinvent database gives users information on how their goods and services affect the environment. Users can track the influence of their items across the supply chain and comprehend the results. The repository contains roughly 18,000 activities, often known as “datasets,” that describe processes or activities.

NEW!: UPDATED ecoinvent curriculum for all the training plans and the materials for all the plan series. A new plan, “ecoinvent Database Expert Training,” was introduced on February 14, 2024.

Tip for Training Plans Comparison

Move your mouse cursor over any item of a plan with a dashed underline to check and read additional information with the “Feature Tooltip.”

12 Hours

ecoinvent Database Basic Training

$1,490

Per Trainee

Curriculum & Features

Student Discount The student discount applies exclusively to "full-time master's and Ph.D. students who are not currently employed." It's important to be aware that the student discount will not be applicable if a sale is underway and it is being applied to the price listed in this table.
Researcher Discount
English Training Training is provided in English by an expert LCA trainer at the PhD level.
Free 2 hours after training follow-up Optional
Optional Examination & Training Certificate (Paid) Certificate fees per trainee apply. Contact us for pricing details.
Extensive Training Intensive training for complete program understanding.
Accelerated Learning Approach Active learning approach accelerates understanding by tailoring instruction to individual styles, using discussions, interactive elements, demonstrations, practical examples, assignments, and trainee feedback.
Remote (Online) or in Person Choose your DEISO training delivery: online (remote), at your company's location in Japan, or international locations (overseas). Prices vary for each model, and a minimum number of trainees is required except for online training, which can be one-to-one- or one-to-group. A single trainee is sufficient for online training to deliver the chosen training program.
Training at the Client's Physical Location Outside of Japan Choose your DEISO training delivery: online (remote), at your company's location in Japan, or international locations (overseas). Prices vary for each model, and a minimum number of trainees is required except for online training, which can be one-to-one- or one-to-group. A single trainee is sufficient for online training to deliver the chosen training program.
In-Person Training at the Client's Physical Location in Japan A minimum number of trainees is required. Please contact us.
Training on ecoinvent 3.x Web Version Requires access of the trainee(s) to ecoQuery, the web-based version of ecoinvent.
Complete ecoinvent v3.x database training in LCA for Experts (GaBi), SimaPro, or openLCA Choose the one you have access to (1 software): Most LCA practitioners use specialized software like SimaPro, openLCA, or LCA for Experts (GaBi). Learning how to use the database is important as it is common among all the leading LCA software vendors. Training helps streamline your workflow and ensures that the data and analysis tools are compatible.
Introductory Module to ecoinvent System Models Ecoinvent offers 3 system models (Allocation at the Point of Substitution (APOS), Consequential, and Cut-off system models) for handling different situations or real-world case studies.
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Electricity Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Oil and Gas Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Waste Management Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Waste Management Industry
EN15804 System Model The Allocation cut-off EN15804 system model simplifies the creation of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). It meets key standards (EN15804, ISO21930, ISO14025), provides all Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), and aligns with European Commission end-of-waste criteria.
The use of ecoinvent for Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
When to use "Market", "Transformation", and "Infrastructure" Processes
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Allocation at the Point (APOS) Full training on the "Allocation at the Point (APOS)." ecoinvent system model.
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Consequential, Long-term Full training on the "Consequential, Long-term." ecoinvent system model.
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Allocation Cut-Off Full training on the "Allocation Cut-Off." ecoinvent system model.
Constraints of By-Product Production (Supply Constraint)
Constraints Due to Technology
A to Z Case Study How to Conduct an LCA Study with ecoinvent Web-Based Verion
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Results
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) Results
Midpoint LCIA Results LCA results can be carried out at the midpoint level, including environmental impact categories such as "climate change," "acidification potential," "human health potential," etc. These categories (15+ on average based on the LCIA method) are called "midpoint impacts." Here, you will learn using ecoinvent at a "Mid-Point" Level."
Endpoint LCIA Results LCA results can be carried out also at the "endpoint" level where the midpoint impact categories (15+ on average) can be aggregated to single 3-4 indicators such as "damage to the ecosystem," damage to health," and damage to resources." This aggregation is called "endpoint modeling." Here, you will learn using ecoinvent at "endpoint" level
How to Communicate ecoinvent Web-Based LCA Results
ecoinvent Data Export Export and Analyze in Excel: Learn how to convert ecoinvent data into Excel-compatible formats for streamlined analysis and custom calculations within your LCA workflow
Training on "Unit Process" v.s "System Process" Ecoinvent provides "Unit Processes" (representing individual steps) and "System Processes" (combining multiple steps).
Demonstration on "Unit Process" v.s "System Process"
Use Cases of "Unit Process" and "System Process"
Geographical Representation in ecoinvent Country or region specific processes.
The Basic Structure of the ecoinvent Database
Subdivision The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Substitution The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Allocation The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Allocation Methods
Waste Treatment
Transfer Processes
Transformation Processes
Reference (Main) Products
By-products and wastes
How to Read Process Documentation
Technosphere Flows vs. Environment Flows
End of Life (EoL) Modeling Principles
Upstream Waste Modeling Training Waste generated from production activities.
Downstream Waste Modeling Training The consumer generates waste after using the products. Once they reach the end of life, they become "municipal solid waste (MSW)" or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE; e-waste). This type of waste is referred to as "downstream waste."
Electricity Grid Mixes Modeling with ecoinvent The term "Electricity Grid Mix" denotes the assortment of energy sources utilized for generating electricity (e.g., to produce 3.6 MJ or 1 kWh). For example, the electricity grid mix in country "X" might comprise 30% natural gas, 20% heavy fuel oil, and 50% renewables (such as wind power, hydropower, photovoltaic, waste, etc.). The composition of this "Grid Mix" significantly influences Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results, underscoring the importance of understanding and incorporating it into ecoinvent modeling. Implementing electricity grid mixes is very common in nearly all LCA projects, and it is based on country-specific data. Here, you will learn all about the electricity grid mix and how to model them in your LCA project using ecoinvent.
Global Temperature Change Potential (GTB) V.S. Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Recycling and Recyclable Materials
Technology Level of Activities
ISIC: International Standard Industrial Classification
Waste Responsibility
Production and Supply Mixes

Recommend for Basic LCA Projects or ecoinvent Starters.

Prices are Per Trainee. For 2+ trainees, please request a quote.

18 Hours

ecoinvent Database Advanced Training

$2,190

Per Trainee

Curriculum & Features

Student Discount The student discount applies exclusively to "full-time master's and Ph.D. students who are not currently employed." It's important to be aware that the student discount will not be applicable if a sale is underway and it is being applied to the price listed in this table.
Researcher Discount
English Training Training is provided in English by an expert LCA trainer at the PhD level.
Free 2 hours after training follow-up Optional
Optional Examination & Training Certificate (Paid) Certificate fees per trainee apply. Contact us for pricing details.
Extensive Training Intensive training for complete program understanding.
Accelerated Learning Approach Active learning approach accelerates understanding by tailoring instruction to individual styles, using discussions, interactive elements, demonstrations, practical examples, assignments, and trainee feedback.
Remote (Online) or in Person Choose your DEISO training delivery: online (remote), at your company's location in Japan, or international locations (overseas). Prices vary for each model, and a minimum number of trainees is required except for online training, which can be one-to-one- or one-to-group. A single trainee is sufficient for online training to deliver the chosen training program.
Training at the Client's Physical Location Outside of Japan Choose your DEISO training delivery: online (remote), at your company's location in Japan, or international locations (overseas). Prices vary for each model, and a minimum number of trainees is required except for online training, which can be one-to-one- or one-to-group. A single trainee is sufficient for online training to deliver the chosen training program.
In-Person Training at the Client's Physical Location in Japan A minimum number of trainees is required. Please contact us.
Training on ecoinvent 3.x Web Version Requires access of the trainee(s) to ecoQuery, the web-based version of ecoinvent.
Complete ecoinvent v3.x database training in LCA for Experts (GaBi), SimaPro, or openLCA Choose the one you have access to (1 software): Most LCA practitioners use specialized software like SimaPro, openLCA, or LCA for Experts (GaBi). Learning how to use the database is important as it is common among all the leading LCA software vendors. Training helps streamline your workflow and ensures that the data and analysis tools are compatible.
Introductory Module to ecoinvent System Models Ecoinvent offers 3 system models (Allocation at the Point of Substitution (APOS), Consequential, and Cut-off system models) for handling different situations or real-world case studies.
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Electricity Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Oil and Gas Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Waste Management Industry
The Use of ecoinvent Database in the Waste Management Industry
EN15804 System Model The Allocation cut-off EN15804 system model simplifies the creation of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). It meets key standards (EN15804, ISO21930, ISO14025), provides all Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), and aligns with European Commission end-of-waste criteria.
The use of ecoinvent for Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
When to use "Market", "Transformation", and "Infrastructure" Processes
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Allocation at the Point (APOS) Full training on the "Allocation at the Point (APOS)." ecoinvent system model.
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Consequential, Long-term Full training on the "Consequential, Long-term." ecoinvent system model.
Training on ecoinvent System Models: Allocation Cut-Off Full training on the "Allocation Cut-Off." ecoinvent system model.
Constraints of By-Product Production (Supply Constraint)
Constraints Due to Technology
A to Z Case Study How to Conduct an LCA Study with ecoinvent Web-Based Verion
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Results
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) Results
Midpoint LCIA Results LCA results can be carried out at the midpoint level, including environmental impact categories such as "climate change," "acidification potential," "human health potential," etc. These categories (15+ on average based on the LCIA method) are called "midpoint impacts." Here, you will learn using ecoinvent at a "Mid-Point" Level."
Endpoint LCIA Results LCA results can be carried out also at the "endpoint" level where the midpoint impact categories (15+ on average) can be aggregated to single 3-4 indicators such as "damage to the ecosystem," damage to health," and damage to resources." This aggregation is called "endpoint modeling." Here, you will learn using ecoinvent at "endpoint" level
How to Communicate ecoinvent Web-Based LCA Results
ecoinvent Data Export Export and Analyze in Excel: Learn how to convert ecoinvent data into Excel-compatible formats for streamlined analysis and custom calculations within your LCA workflow
Training on "Unit Process" v.s "System Process" Ecoinvent provides "Unit Processes" (representing individual steps) and "System Processes" (combining multiple steps).
Demonstration on "Unit Process" v.s "System Process"
Use Cases of "Unit Process" and "System Process"
Geographical Representation in ecoinvent Country or region specific processes.
The Basic Structure of the ecoinvent Database
Subdivision The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Substitution The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Allocation The three ecoinvent system models are constructed around fundamental principles of the ecoinvent language: "subdivision, substitution, and allocation." Acquiring proficiency in these technical aspects is essential for comprehending the distinctions among the three system models and for effectively employing a suitable system model in your case study or project.
Allocation Methods
Waste Treatment
Transfer Processes
Transformation Processes
Reference (Main) Products
By-products and wastes
How to Read Process Documentation
Technosphere Flows vs. Environment Flows
End of Life (EoL) Modeling Principles
Upstream Waste Modeling Training Waste generated from production activities.
Downstream Waste Modeling Training The consumer generates waste after using the products. Once they reach the end of life, they become "municipal solid waste (MSW)" or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE; e-waste). This type of waste is referred to as "downstream waste."
Electricity Grid Mixes Modeling with ecoinvent The term "Electricity Grid Mix" denotes the assortment of energy sources utilized for generating electricity (e.g., to produce 3.6 MJ or 1 kWh). For example, the electricity grid mix in country "X" might comprise 30% natural gas, 20% heavy fuel oil, and 50% renewables (such as wind power, hydropower, photovoltaic, waste, etc.). The composition of this "Grid Mix" significantly influences Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results, underscoring the importance of understanding and incorporating it into ecoinvent modeling. Implementing electricity grid mixes is very common in nearly all LCA projects, and it is based on country-specific data. Here, you will learn all about the electricity grid mix and how to model them in your LCA project using ecoinvent.
Global Temperature Change Potential (GTB) V.S. Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Recycling and Recyclable Materials
Technology Level of Activities
ISIC: International Standard Industrial Classification
Waste Responsibility
Production and Supply Mixes

Recommend for LCA Analysts, Researchers, Consultants, & Company Employees.

Prices are Per Trainee. For 2+ trainees, please request a quote.

Do I need to enroll in all of the training programs (levels or "plans")?

The short answer is “No”. You need to sign up for a one-level “plan.” Every plan begins at level ZERO and progresses to a certain level. Based on the comparison table below, you may choose the curriculum and the level you wish to attain. You may, however, sign up for two programs—one now and one later- at a discounted price.

How do I enroll for remote (online) training, whether one-on-one or in groups, on-demand training?

After your payment is processed, we will send you a proposed training schedule.
Once you (or your team) approve the schedule, you will receive Zoom invitations via email and a calendar invite for each session.
Training will then begin as scheduled (on-demand).

ecoinvent Database Training Programs

Why ecoinvent Training is Needed?

ecoinvent Database Basic Training

Curriculum & Features

ecoinvent Database Advanced Training

Curriculum & Features

Traing Programs

End of the year sales.

up to 50% off