A proposal for a methodology for the cocreation of an environmental analysis tool: application to the competitive sailing sector in Brittany

Environmental regulations are forcing certain industrial sectors to quantify their environmental impact, using environmental analysis tools. Currently, there is a lack of appropriation of these tools in industrial sectors. Participative approaches are relevant to tackle this issue. This article proposes an approach for co-creating an environmental analysis tool based on Life cycle assessment (LCA). To this day, there is no academic initiative to develop this type of tool in a participatory way. This approach suggests using a combination of a generic methodology (result 1) and a cocreation framework (result 2). It is then illustrated using the example of the competitive sailing sector in Brittany (France). The generic methodology is adapted from the recommendations of the International Life Cycle Data system guide and the usual steps of a software development. Some values of the methodology need to be cocreated. To do so, a cocreation framework is suggested, adapted from a generic framework from Durugbo and Pawar. The generic methodology proposed comprises twelve steps. The cocreation framework comprises three steps. Three values cocreated in the competitive sailing sector have been illustrated: a choice of functional unit, a perimeter for the sector, and software specifications adapted to the sector. The article discusses the approach in a broad context (regarding participatory approaches in the environmental sciences, co-creation linked to LCA and co-creation), as well as its advantages and disadvantages. The results of the article have implications at the level of industrial sectors, helping them to respond to future environmental policies.