Using a streamlined life-cycle analysis matrix to structure a design for the environment program for a complex defense system

Abstract

Global warming, depletion of stratospheric ozone, acid rain, loss of species diversity, and other environmental impacts can be traced, at least in part, to man's industrial activities. Resulting business and social pressures have caused the design and engineering communities to begin systematically integrating environmental issues into the design process; an activity referred to as design for the environment (DfE). Environmental life-cycle analysis (LCA) matrices may be used as a template for establishing a DfE framework that can be tailored to a specific program or project and can be applied to processes, products or facilities. By using a team-based approach to identify significant environmental aspects, the design personnel are in a position to build checklists, guidelines and other DfE tools based on a life-cycle analysis. The matrix approach can be used to support the environmental aspects analysis of ISO 14001.