Sustainable Sourcing with Spatial Life Cycle Assessment

This study introduces a Spatial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework that enhances conventional LCA to support sustainable sourcing decisions. By integrating geospatial data and network mapping techniques, the method tracks the origins and propagation of environmental impacts across the life cycle. A case study on lithium extraction from Nevada clay deposits demonstrates the framework’s application, analyzing impacts across various environmental categories. The results highlight significant regional differences, with over 90% of land and water use impacts concentrated on-site in Nevada, and 70% of freshwater ecotoxicity impacts in Arizona. By mapping upstream and downstream impacts with geospatial detail, the framework provides organizations with a clearer understanding of where impacts occur, enabling more informed sourcing decisions. Future improvements will refine the location selection, labeling, and mapping processes to simplify sourcing decisions based on sustainability goals.