Reference

Life cycle steps

Cloud Assess uses 4 life cycle steps

We describe the environmental indicators available in Cloud Assess.

Abiotic depletion

ADPe (kg_Sb_Eq), Abiotic Depletion Potential for Elements. Measures the depletion of non-fossil mineral resources (metals and minerals) expressed in kilograms of antimony equivalent (kg Sb eq).
ADPf (MJ_net_calorific_value), Abiotic Depletion Potential for Fossil Fuels. Measures consumption of non-renewable fossil resources, expressed in megajoules based on net calorific value (MJ).

Acidification

AP (mol_H_p_Eq), Acidification Potential. Measures the potential for substances to cause acidification in the environment, mainly by reducing pH in soil and water through emissions such as SO₂, NOx, etc.

Ecotoxicity and human toxicity

CTUe (CTUe), Comparative Toxic Unit for ecosystems. Estimates the fraction of species potentially affected by toxic releases in freshwater ecosystems.
CTUh_c (CTUh), Human Toxicity (Carcinogenic), measured in Comparative Toxic Units for human health (CTUh). Quantifies the potential for toxic emissions to cause cancer in humans.
CTUh_nc (CTUh), Human Toxicity (Non-Carcinogenic) — also measured in CTUh, but for non-cancer health effects in humans.

Eutrophication

Epf (kg_P_Eq), Eutrophication Potential, Freshwater. Assesses nutrient enrichment in freshwater bodies, which can lead to excessive algae growth, using kilograms of phosphate equivalent (kg P eq).
Epm (kg_N_Eq), Eutrophication Potential, Marine. Same impact, focused on marine water bodies, measured in kilograms of nitrogen equivalent (kg N eq).
Ept (mol_N_Eq), Eutrophication Potential, Terrestrial. Focuses on nutrient enrichment in terrestrial ecosystems, expressed in moles of nitrogen equivalent (mol N eq).

Climate change

GWP (kg_CO2_Eq), Global Warming Potential. Measures the contribution to climate change by greenhouse gases, expressed in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO₂ eq).
GWPb (kg_CO2_Eq), Global Warming Potential, Biogenic. Covers CO₂ emissions originally captured by biomass, released in combustion or decomposition of bio-based materials.
GWPf (kg_CO2_Eq), Global Warming Potential, Fossil. Calculated from greenhouse gases released by fossil sources, i.e., burning fossil fuels.
GWPlu (kg_CO2_Eq), Global Warming Potential, Land Use & Land Use Change. Reflects impact of land use changes (e.g., deforestation, agriculture), measured in kg CO₂ eq.

Ionizing radiation

IR (kBq_U235_Eq), Ionizing Radiation. Potential impact on human health from exposure to radioactive substances, measured as kilobecquerel of Uranium-235 equivalent (kBq U235 eq).

Land use

LU (u), Land Use. Impact related to changes or occupation of land area, often measured as "u" for dimensionless units, sometimes as square meters or soil quality points.

Ozone

ODP (kg_CFC_11_Eq), Ozone Depletion Potential. Measures the potential harm to the stratospheric ozone layer, expressed in kilograms of CFC-11 equivalent (kg CFC-11 eq).
POCP (kg_NMVOC_Eq), Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential. Indicates potential for ground-level ozone formation from emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), measured in kilograms of NMVOC equivalent (kg NMVOC eq).

Human health

PM (disease_incidence), Particulate Matter Formation Potential. Assesses effects on human health due to emissions of particulate matter; outcome is disease incidence or changes in mortality.

Water

WU (m3_world_eq_deprived), Water Use. Measures water consumption, factoring in local water scarcity; expressed in cubic meters of world-equivalent deprived water (m³ world eq deprived).

Energy

TPE (MJ_net_calorific_value), Total Primary Energy. All energy consumed as primary energy from renewable and non-renewable sources, expressed in megajoules, net calorific value (MJ).