Education Platform Life Cycle Assessment Structures

The EU has committed under the EU Green Deal to become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050 by introducing innovation and relevant education. In the light of this goal, this 3-year EIT project aims to establish a four-level Pan-European PhD winter/summer school program. The program will focus on Life Cycle Assessment/Costing (LCA/LCC) and new business development, which are in high demand from EU industry partners. This program will prepare the talents with innovative solutions/ideas to apply for entrepreneurship funding in other EIT activities (e.g. Jumpstarter), and provide the necessary skills and knowledge in LCA/LCC and new business development. Our goal is to support the EU's efforts to achieve its carbon-neutrality objective by enabling the next generation of green entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business practices. The uniqueness of the course lies with one of the biggest challenges for the industry and those who perform the LCA/LCC analysis, which is the lack of understanding of a common “language”, methodologies and what information is required from the industry to perform proper LCA/LCC analysis to support the green transition. Industrial partners and start-ups will provide real-life LCA/LCC case studies for the purpose of the course, which will enable student to create feasible solutions and support networking and match-making opportunities.

The project plays an important role in advancing scientific development by strengthening interdisciplinary research, improving methodological rigor, and fostering innovation. Namely, it provides a platform where environmental science, engineering, economics, chemistry, and data analytics come together to address complex sustainability challenges. This interdisciplinary environment accelerates knowledge exchange, enabling participants to learn the latest LCA methods, standards and tools, which improves the consistency and scientific reliability of research across institutions. Project also acts as an incubator for methodological innovation, as it encourages new approaches in impact assessment, data modelling, uncertainty analysis and the integration of digital technologies. It embeds sustainability thinking into scientific disciplines and enhance evidence-based decision-making, making them essential for the continued growth and relevance of environmental sciences.

Project strengthens national capacity in sustainability and innovation. By training students, researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers in LCA methodologies, project helps to build a skilled workforce capable of addressing environmental challenges using scientifically sound approaches. This reduces reliance on foreign expertise and improves the country’s ability to conduct its own assessments, develop sustainable technologies, and meet international environmental standards. For industry, project enhances competitiveness by equipping companies with tools to measure product footprints, reduce resource use and comply with global regulations such as carbon reporting and eco-design requirements. This leads to improved export potential and greener production processes. For government, the knowledge gained supports the development of effective environmental policies, climate strategies and circular economy initiatives. Additionally, project stimulates research and innovation by connecting universities, industry and international experts. They foster collaboration, attract research funding, and promote the exchange of best practices. By building scientific and technical expertise, project helps the country transition toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy.