What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) used for?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life. This includes every phase from raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. By examining these stages, LCA provides a comprehensive overview of how a product affects the environment, identifying factors such as energy consumption, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion.

The primary goal of LCA is to help organizations make informed decisions that can lead to more sustainable product design and better environmental management practices. By using this tool, companies can pinpoint opportunities for improvement and innovation that will reduce their ecological footprint, enhancing sustainability efforts.

In relation to the other options, while assessing economic costs, analyzing consumer preferences, and measuring technical feasibility are important aspects in product development and business strategy, they do not fall under the purview of LCA, which centers specifically on environmental impacts. Thus, B accurately captures the fundamental purpose of Life Cycle Assessment.