In this release, we’ve implemented significant changes to the characterization factors, ensuring the utmost accuracy in our calculations. Yet, the true innovation emerges in the redesigned operationalization. We’ve simplified the process by automating the computation of characterization factors and enabling effortless integration into a variety of LCA software.
Key Highlights of IMPACT World+ v2.0
Operationalization
Streamlined operationalization
Through coding, we automated the way we transform the native version of the IMPACT World+ method into files compatible with various LCA software and databases. This allows us to easily harmonize our assumptions and calculations among all indicators, increases the transparency of our process and greatly simplify the update of characterisation factors or the integration of new indicators in the future version of IMPACT World+. The native characterisation factors as well as the python code and its documentation are also available in open access in order to ensure transparency and allow users to easily adapt the method to their needs.
Update and correction of caracterization factors
Long term emissions and time dependent impact categories
Long-term impacts are now divided into short term (0-100 years) and long term (over 100 years) in a homogeneous manner, offering a nuanced perspective on categories such as climate change, human toxicity, and ecosystem toxicity.
Toxicity and ecotoxicity – Metal emissions in groundwater
Recognizing the limitations in current LCA models, we explicitly acknowledge that the impact of metal emissions in the groundwater compartment cannot presently be determined. Therefore, IW+ does not characterizes metal emissions emitted directly to the groundwater sub-compartments, effectively fixing their CF to zero, until a more accurate method is developed to calculate these potential impacts.
Marine eutrophication – air emissions
Air emissions have been characterized.
Updated land occupation and transformation factors
Factors for land occupation and transformation have been refined for various agricultural practices.
Ionizing radiations
The characterization factors for ionizing radiations have been updated: new substances and compartment were added, and new flows were characterized).
Acidification and freshwater eutrophication midpoint categories
An error has been identified and corrected to ensure that the values of the characterization factors used are properly normalized.
Water impact categories – new elementary flows
Characterization factors for many regionalized elementary flows were added for new sub-regions covered in LCA databases.
For more details, visit the Methodology – V2.0 section.
We’re committed to continual improvement, and IMPACT World+ v2.0 reflects our dedication to providing a cutting-edge tool for environmental impact assessment.