ESU-services at the Climate Native Summit in Munich
On May 7, 2026, the Climate Native Summit took place at the Memox Skyline Tower in Munich—a gathering for pioneers in the sustainability sector. With over 30 years of experience in life cycle assessment (LCA), we know: The pressure on companies to act now is growing. But how can we balance quality, flexibility, and automation in LCA and EPD practice?
Automation in LCA: A Brief History
Automation in life cycle calculations has existed for decades. It began with the use of calculators instead of manual computations on paper. Since then, increasingly powerful tools have been developed to simplify the processing of large datasets. However, one thing remains crucial: Traceability and transparency must always be maintained. Therefore, the verification of EPDs must also consider the tools used.
I was honoured to participate as a panellist at the summit on May 7, 2026, contributing the verifier’s perspective to one of the most debated questions in the industry:
How can we advance automation without compromising the quality and transparency of EPDs?
Why This Topic Is Critical Now
The digitalization of LCA processes is advancing—but it brings new challenges:
Documentation & Data Flows
The seamless integration of manufacturer data into software must be as simple as possible, with directly visible plausibility checks. Only this way can errors be detected and corrected early.
Automation vs. Manual Creation
While automation accelerates basic calculations, initial verification becomes more complex: Not only the results but also all steps of automation must be reviewed.
Flexibility vs. Standardization
The more rigid the user inputs, the easier the final verification of pre-checked calculation methods. However, too much rigidity limits adaptability—a persistent dilemma we’ve known since our first Excel-based key parameter models.
AI & Collaboration: New Opportunities, Old Challenge
Artificial Intelligence
AI takes automation to a new level—but for the first time, full traceability of decisions and calculation paths is no longer guaranteed. This raises new questions about transparency and trustworthiness.
Simplifying Collaboration
Clear and separate responsibilities remain essential:
- Input of primary data
- Development of tools and background databases
- Independent verification and quality assurance
- Harmonization through EPD platforms
At the same time, platforms can facilitate collaboration between stakeholders by centralizing data and document exchange.
Our Contribution: The Verifier’s Perspective
As Niels Jungbluth, owner of ESU-services GmbH and an experienced LCA and EPD expert, I brought over 30 years of practical knowledge to the discussion. My focus was on three key points:
✅ Applying life-cycle thinking to real-world products and supply chains—covering LCA, EPD, and carbon footprinting.
✅ Verification as the key to trustworthy EPDs: How can we leverage automation without compromising quality?
✅ Practical solutions for balancing standardization and flexibility to meet individual customer needs.
*ESU-services GmbH – Your partner for precise LCA analyses, EPD consulting, and custom software solutions across the DACH region and globally
