Are there any guidelines to follow when using these two types of data? Essentially, how do you justify the usage of these kinds of databases when talking to people with no experience in LCA?įinally, how does one prioritize between the usage of personally collected data and data from the databases? Logically, the data I collect on my own would fit my specific scenario well but on the other hand, data from the databases are more likely to reflect a general case/process and are acquired and evaluated by professionals. I know that the organisations providing the data are trustworthy and professional but it still feels strange to use something without proper insight.
As a first time user of openLCA, or any type of LCA software for that matter, I feel lost when contemplating the enormous selection of databases.ĭoes anyone here have a standard procedure when selecting databases or data sets for their project? Do you prioritize the organisation behind the sets (GaBI, EcoInvent etc), the geographical cohesion of the data or another parameter?įurthermore, it feels a bit awkward to use a huge amount of data that you have had no part in collecting. I have been thinking about how one should approach the choice of databases.