What is the purpose of a life cycle assessment?

The purpose of a life cycle assessment (LCA) is to evaluate the environmental impact of a product or service over its entire life span. This comprehensive approach considers all phases of the product's life, from the extraction of raw materials through production and use, to disposal and end-of-life scenarios. By assessing the environmental effects at each stage, LCA helps identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce negative impacts, thereby promoting sustainable practices and informed decision-making for both manufacturers and consumers.

The other options focus on different aspects that are not the primary goal of an LCA. While financial analysis or cost determination are important in business contexts, they do not capture the ecological and environmental focus that an LCA provides. Furthermore, comparing renewable energy sources is more specific to energy studies and does not encompass the broader scope of environmental impacts that an LCA evaluates across various products and services.