Hybrid Methodology

Rapid, cost-effective, comprehensive, accredited, accurate and flexible. Hybrid carbon accounting combines the best of Process and EIO LCA to meet the urgent need for a more comprehensive, scalable and economically viable approach to carbon accounting for the whole Enterprise.

CarbonRiver have expertise across LCA and carbon footprinting disciplines and methodologies, both Process and Economic Input-Output. These disciplines have traditionally been viewed separately, however by far the more comprehensive, accurate and time and cost efficient approach combines these two disciples: Hybrid LCA.

Although practiced since the 1970’s, it is only recently receiving the attention and accreditation it deserves across international protocols and utilisation across corporate and governmental applications around the world.

CarbonRiver’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Suh, is the world’s leading Hybrid LCA authority, and is the author of the Integrated Hybrid Approach.

The hybrid approach can comfortably account for both direct and indirect emissions and environmental impact across the complete supply chain and those embedded in products and services.

Methodological Comparisons, An Overview

CarbonRiver uses a methodology known as Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment (HLCA). As recommended by current and emerging global protocol. HLCA is a best of breed approach, which combines the best of both more common methods: Process Life Cycle Assessment and Economic Input Output Life Cycle Assessment.

Process LCA

• Expensive. Often prohibitively cost and time intensive.
• Rigid. Requires complex re-assessment when process / suppliers chain change.
• Arbitrary. Incomplete system boundary (i.e. an unknown number of inputs and potential hotspots are missed out).
• Precise vs. Accurate. Delivers precision for the specific items accounted for, though this doe not necessarily equate to an accurate total footprint.

Economic Input/Output LCA (EIO LCA)

• Rapid. Facilitates an efficient screening of a complete system boundary.
• Estimate. Provides a detailed but industry averaged assessment.
• Agile. Quickly identifies the hotspots where further iterative analysis will be most impactful.

Hybrid LCA

• Rapid & Cost Efficient. Initially utilises readily available company economic data (and process data for scope 1 and 2 where available).
• Comprehensive. Accounts for a complete system boundary from the get-go i.e. all inputs are identified and assessed, and hotspots identified.
• Accurate. The complete overview lends itself to smart iteration, applying further levels of Eio and Process analysis only where it makes sense to do so on the materially significant inputs. No red herrings or wasted efforts.
• Detailed. Footprints can be segmented by Supplier, Material, Product Group, Service etc.
• Flexible. Updates, revisions and predictive analysis can be accommodated tweaking only specific inputs, especially when mapped into out web-based tool.

The Hybrid Process — Overview

1. Economic Screening

   Financial data from the financial ledger or bill of materials (combined with any available direct emissions process data e.g. KWH of electricity). Delivers an industry averaged but company/product specific initial analysis and hotspot.

2. Iterative Analysis

   Having established hotspots, further levels of iterative economic and process analysis are applied in a specific way to deliver maximise efficiencies and potential impact.

3. Hybrid LCA

   A complete direct and or indirect (scopes 1,2 and 3 (supply chain / product embedded) carbon footprint and environmental impact analysis. Delivered to a level of analysis and accreditation as required.

In summary, Hybrid LCA footprinting is understood to be the pragmatic solution to emissions measurement and will feature in revised WRI/WBCSD GHG and ISO protocol (2010), PAS 2060 & revised PAS 2050 drafts (2010).