Southwest Environmental Limited

SimaPro Modelling

 The go to modeling software for life cycle assessment is SimaPro. The software is a better choice than a spread sheet life cycle assessment solution because:

• It is can use several standardised methods.
• It contains ready made inventories.
• It has built in "wizards" for simpler modelling.
• It can incorporate feedback loops.

Aims of Sima Pro Modelling

The end result of the software is to give a graph as displayed to the right which might show either a standalone product or system, but more commonly a comparison between two or more products.

In addition to comparing products you can add in product scenarios, or change the scope of the LCA. For example you may choose to include disposal in one scenario but not another to illustrate disposal impacts relative to products whole life cycle impacts.

But before we get to this point there is a moderate or very large amount of leg work to do. We have to "build" the lifecycle of the product or system. For a paper clip this is relatively easy, but for a packaged ready meal it is a big big job.

All images on this page are courtesy of SimaPro, providers of Life Cycle Assessment Software. We have their permission to use these images.

Process contributions are the meat of LCA, provided you have a well established emissions inventory. Process contributions are split in to various subcategories, such as assembly or reuse. In order to accurately model a product or system you will need to know how the product or system is made.

In this respect a farmer would be a poor choice to undertake air craft manufacture LCA, and vice versa. To model accurately it requires common sense knowledge of the system at hand.

It also requires a knowledge of context particularly when dealing with products from differing countries. By example the "finishing" (final feeding) of cattle is carried out very differently between the USA and the UK, and as such you can not readily compare beef LCA between the USA and the UK readily without knowledge of both systems.

Typically when conducting LCA we will sub-contract an industry specialist to "sanity check" our model, as it is very easy to misunderstand a system if we do not have access to industry specific knowledge.

SimaPro Interface

As mentioned above a certain amount of context is required to accurately model luckily the inventories or libraries built within SimaPro are very well established and by example include for different foot printing for electric between differing counties.

The model is very complex, and we cannot touch on that complexity here. Introductory manuals run to 160 pages. But we hope you will consider Southwest Environmental Limited to carry out your SimaPro Modelling.

The below section was written by a machine.

Technical Guidance: Advanced LCA Modelling with SimaPro

SimaPro is widely recognized as the industry-leading software for conducting professional Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). Unlike standard spreadsheet-based models, SimaPro provides a robust framework that allows for complex feedback loops and multi-layered inventory analysis. This level of detail is essential for developments and products aiming to achieve high-tier sustainability credentials or to support the creation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

Utilizing Standardized Methods and Global Databases

One of the primary advantages of SimaPro is its seamless integration with globally recognized impact assessment methods and comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) databases. This ensures that the results are scientifically defensible and meet international standards.

• Global Databases: Access to databases such as Ecoinvent and Agri-footprint allows our life cycle assessment consultants to accurately model the background processes of materials, energy, and transport.
• Standardized Methods: We utilize advanced calculation methods including ReCiPe, CML, and EPD (2018) to translate raw emission data into meaningful environmental categories such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Eutrophication.
• Scenario Analysis: The software allows for the comparison of multiple product iterations or system designs, helping clients identify the most impactful stages of a product's life cycle, from cradle to grave.

Applications in Planning and Environmental Impact

Incorporating detailed LCA data early in the design phase can significantly improve the quality of a Sustainability Statement or a broader Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). By quantifying the embodied carbon and other ecological burdens, developers can make informed decisions that reduce the overall footprint of a project. This data-driven approach is increasingly requested by local planning authorities as part of whole-life carbon policies.

Technical Support and Model Verification

A successful LCA requires more than just software; it requires technical authority and a deep understanding of the system being modeled. At SWEL, we provide the professional oversight necessary to ensure that "sanity checks" and industry-specific context are applied to every model. With over 15 years of industry experience and a track record of delivering 900+ projects across the UK, we offer the professional accreditation (IES/FGS) and expertise required to navigate the complexities of environmental science and regulatory compliance.