Understanding the Difference Between Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Engineers and Sustainability Professionals”
Real-World ExamplesIn the automotive sector, LCA has been used to evaluate material choices in vehicle manufacturing. For example, switching from steel to aluminum may reduce weight but increase energy use during production. LCA helps balance these trade-offs. In contrast, EIA has been instrumental in assessing environmental damage from oil exploration in sensitive areas. Through detailed field assessments and stakeholder engagement, EIA helped guide remediation, enforce accountability, and inform future planning.
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