Summary

Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are the most widely used tool for quantifying and evaluating the environmental impact of producing goods and services. Conducted accurately, LCAs provide valuable data to inform environmental, financial, and operational decisions. 

As with any measurement tool, LCAs benefit from being conducted using a high-quality, consistent methodology to enable accurate assessments and cross-company and -product comparability. However, given the wide variety of LCA methodologies—each of which has a slightly different focus—there is currently a lack of consistency in how LCAs are applied and no customized guidance for how to conduct LCAs of alternative proteins. 

Our guide provides a best practice, standardized approach to undertaking LCAs for alternative protein manufacturers

The guide is not intended to enable alternative protein manufacturers to undertake LCAs themselves—a highly complex process requiring deep expertise and a high degree of instruction beyond a guide—but rather to enable them to commission an expert LCA provider to design and conduct an effective LCA that helps them reach their objectives, while also meeting international standards and LCA industry best practices.

Related resources

Photo of sunset over a field

Environmental, Social, and Governance framework

GFI & FAIRR’s ESG frameworks supply investors and companies in the alternative proteins industry with tools to monitor, measure, and report on risks and opportunities.

Beyond meatballs in pan and in spaghetti

Plant-based meat for a growing world

Read about the environmental benefits of plant-based meat compared to conventional meat across land use, emissions, water use, and water nutrient pollution.

Person pointing to report with a pen

Cultivated meat LCA/TEA report analysis

Recent studies show cultivated meat could have reduced environmental impacts and be cost-competitive with some forms of conventional meat.

Server holding a tray of appetizers from a gfi brazil investment event

Entrepreneurship

Learn about planning, launching, and growing an alternative protein startup, from idea to product development, and commercialization.