Reducing California's Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Product Life-Cycle Optimization

Product life-cycle optimization addresses the reduction of environmental burdens associated with the production, use, and end-of-life stages of a product s life cycle. In this paper, we offer an evaluation of the opportunities related to product life-cycle optimization in California for two key products: personal computers (PCs) and concrete. For each product, we present the results of an explorative case study to identify specific opportunities for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions at each stage of the product life cycle. We then offer a discussion of the practical policy options that may exist for realizing the identified GHG reduction opportunities. The case studies demonstrate that there may be significant GHG mitigation options as well as a number of policy options that could lead to life-cycle GHG emissions reductions for PCs and concrete in California.