AI in LCA Consulting Practice

AI in LCA: Innovations, Applications, and Challenges

AI in LCA: Innovations, Applications, and Challenges

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming science, business, and sustainability assessment. In the field of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), AI promises faster data generation, improved model quality, and advanced predictive capabilities — but also raises new questions about transparency, bias, and reproducibility. This LCA Forum will explore how machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs) are reshaping LCA research and practice. We will discuss emerging applications, methodological challenges, data quality and its control and ethical considerations. We finally aim at outlining a roadmap for integrating AI into mainstream LCA workflows.

The presentations explore the role of AI within LCA, covering multiple aspects of LCI, LCIA, reporting, and review processes. They will also provide insights into its application in the field of Social Life Cycle Assessment. A significant amount of time is dedicated to discussions, and we will have a breakout group session to synthesize the knowledge and identify challenges and opportunities in this highly dynamic area at the end of the forum.

AI in LCA Consulting Practice: Opportunities, Practical Applications and Risks

At the 92nd Discussion Forum on LCA in Zurich (26 February 2026), ESU-services presented how artificial intelligence is transforming Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) consulting in practice. With more than 25 years of experience, ESU-services integrates AI tools in its daily work to enhance efficiency while fully upholding scientific quality and transparency.

How AI Supports our LCA Consulting Work

2. LCIA & Interpretation
AI helps identify hotspots early, supports sensitivity checks, and prioritizes data collection. Large language models accelerate the creation of reports, summaries, and stakeholder communication.

3. Review, Verification & Quality Control
AI speeds up internal checks, benchmarking and pre‑reviews, including support for EPD verification and ISO‑compliant review processes.

4. Everyday Office Efficiency
Beyond LCA, AI assists in contract preparation, legal understanding, IT setup, programming macros, and writing clear, professional emails.

Benefits of AI Observed Today in LCA consulting

• Smarter search and benchmarking capabilities
• Faster document checks and legal clarifications
• Improved matching of datasets and flows
• Efficient coding and IT support
• Higher-quality communication

Current Limitations in AI application

Despite its potential, AI is no replacement for expert judgement. Challenges include:

• Missing information on undocumented processes
• Risk of incorrect or misleading text (hallucination)
• Need for more careful and time-taking review and control of AI outputs
• Generic or imprecise wording
• Rapidly evolving tools complicating long-term planning
• Overload for beginners due to complexity

Our Internal AI Guidelines

To maintain scientific integrity, ESU-services follows strict principles when using AI:

Human-in-the-loop: expert validation remains essential; AI serves as a tool, not a decision-maker

Safeguards: clear separation between tasks AI may support and tasks reserved for human experts

Transparency: full documentation of AI-assisted steps

Reproducibility: traceable references and stored prompts

Presentation download

Niels Jungbluth, Angelo Stefanel, Christoph Meili, Maresa Bussa, Martin Ulrich (2026) AI in LCA Consulting Practice: Opportunities, Practical Applications and Risks. Presentation for the 92nd Discussion Forum on LCA: “AI in LCA: Innovations, Applications, and Challenges” Thursday, 26th of February 2026, Zurich, Switzerland

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