The module «Advanced Life Cycle Assessment and Ecodesign» deals with methods used to quantify and reduce ecological footprints. In addition to the life cycle assessment basics, the module deals with Environmentally Extended Input-Output Analysis, Planetary Boundaries, Green Procurement, Supply Chain Management as well as Ecodesign and Eco-Innovation.

Furthermore, methodological concepts of regionalisation and the resulting LCA are covered. The module enables participants to transfer findings from applied science to industry and society through life cycle management and eco-innovation.

The quantity of fish produced worldwide in aquaculture has almost doubled in the last 10 years, while the quantity of wild-caught fish has remained almost constant. But how sustainable is fish from aquaculture compared to wild caught fish?

From a sustainability point of view, it is crucial which fish species are produced, how the fish are produced (feed, production system, emissions and others), where they are produced and which imported products can be replaced by locally-produced fish.

In this master's thesis and in cooperation with the research groups Aquaculture Systems and Geography of Food, a comprehensive life cycle assessment of fish production from different aquaculture systems will be carried out and used for comparison with wild-caught fish. What is the ecological footprint, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption of these products?

Traditional-bourgeois, achievement-oriented and modern, materialistic and consumption-oriented, creative and spontaneous - these are examples of qualities that characterise typical lifestyles. Classification of people into specific target groups is common in market and social research (for example sinus milieus or limbic segmentation). But how does lifestyle affect the environment? What optimisation measures are available for individual lifestyles?

Previous studies that have investigated the environmental impacts of private households generally start from the «average citizen». However, in order to reduce the environmental impacts of private consumption, messages specific to target groups are important. The aim of this master's thesis is to typify lifestyles and analyse the environmental impacts of individual lifestyles. Additionally, lifestyle-dependent optimisation measures can then be defined.

As part of the energy turnaround, the use of photovoltaics in Switzerland is expected to be expanded. Photovoltaics is an up-and-coming technology with significant potential. This potential is greatest for third-generation photovoltaic technologies, such as perovskite or organic photovoltaic cells, as well as various combinations of different cell technologies such as tandem cells.

But what are the environmental impacts of these new photovoltaic technologies and tandem cells?

In this master’s thesis, third generation photovoltaic technologies will be systematically evaluated and their environmental impact quantified. This will allow a comparison between different alternatives and the identification of options for optimisation. The specific technology to be investigated will be determined by the research group together with interested students.

In terms of consumption area of Swiss households, nutrition is responsible for the greatest consumption of resources.

In this master thesis, current changes in consumer behaviour and the extent to which food trends such as superfoods, insects, laboratory meat, low carb and more influence resource consumption are addressed.

Resource consumption of different food patterns will be quantified and ecological sustainability potentials identified.

Life cycle assessments and labels are central instruments for designing sustainable processes and are used to communicate about and increase the visibility of sustainability.

This minor provides an excellent introduction to these instruments for aspiring sustainability experts. The following topics are covered:

• Identifying sustainability potentials in value chains
• Evaluation of labels with regard to sustainability
• Preparation and evaluation of life cycle assessments

Product sustainability is a success factor for companies. How is it designed, measured, and communicated? How can it be ensured that sustainability is recognised by consumers?

Life cycle assessments are a central instrument for sustainability assessment and they enable the quantification and comparison of environmental impacts. Labels are a key part of sustainability communication.

After completing the module, students are able to independently prepare a simple life cycle assessment or to carry out a label management project.

Using the example of T-shirts made from renewable raw materials, the aim is to determine which processes are involved in the provision of raw materials and during textile processing, what personal usage behaviour looks like, how textiles are disposed of today, and whether or not and how they are recycled.

Students learn about and apply the first steps of ecological system analysis using material flow analysis. They will be able to document production chains and calculate resource consumption and will be able to compare and interpret life cycle assessments.

The LCA Research Group is involved in the Climate KIC Summer School as a host together with ETH Zurich. Students from all over the world participate in the international Summer School and jointly design innovative ideas against climate change.