Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking

Objectives:

The online self-learning sustainability training modules is made available to all staff to increase their learning in sustainability at their own time and based on their needs. This provides training in relation to Life Cycle Thinking and how it can help staff navigate their way through decision-making process based on life cycle analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and systems thinking.

This is designed to empower our staff with the knowledge and skills needed to make sustainable decisions. Through this accessible and engaging training, we aim to enhance the understanding of sustainability concepts and equip our staff with practical tools.

Content:

1. Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking

The video provides an introduction to life cycle thinking for sustainability, emphasizing its significance for making informed and sustainable decisions. This module aims to equip you with a deeper understanding of key concepts related to life cycle analysis, life cycle costing, and systems thinking, and help you incorporate life cycle thinking into your daily work, fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible decision-making within our university community.

2. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

The video delves into the significance of life cycle analysis in sustainable procurement and operations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the life cycle of products to identify environmental impacts and make informed purchasing decisions. By scrutinizing the stages a product undergoes, from raw material extraction to end-of-life considerations, individuals can pinpoint areas with significant environmental impacts and prioritize strategies for improvement, empowering decision-makers to drive positive change.

3. Life Cycle Costing

This video introduces a valuable tool that assesses the total cost of a product over its entire life cycle, enabling informed decision-making for long-term cost-effectiveness. By moving beyond immediate expenses and considering expenses over the product's lifespan, Life Cycle Costing (LCC) provides a comprehensive view for evaluating total ownership costs, crucial for avoiding decisions solely based on initial low costs that may prove more expensive in the future.

4. Systems Thinking

This video delves into the concept of Systems Thinking and the importance in understanding the interconnected nature of systems, the ripple effects of our decisions, and ways to incorporate systems thinking into our work. In contrast to linear thinking, systems thinking encourages us to view events holistically, emphasizing relationships between system parts rather than isolated components. It prompts a deeper exploration of problems to uncover root causes and prevent unintended consequences, shifting focus from quick fixes to lasting solutions.