Indicator systeem ecocost
Learn about the topic of sustainability impact metrics and
eco-cost data to enable “Fast Track” LCA calculations,
and True Cost Accounting.
The Model of the Eco-costs / Value Ratio
The primary purpose of this website is to provide students of the Delft University of Technology (and other people who are interested in the subject of sustainablility) with:
- practical data to assess the eco-burden of their designs (assisting them with LCA calculations)
- explanation of a prevention based “single indicator” for LCA: the method of the eco-costs
- knowledge on the subject of “eco-efficiency”, “E/E factors”, and how to apply them to de-link economy and ecology
- concepts of business strategies and governmental policies with regard to sustainability, and decision support tools on these issues.
- practical data (eco-costs) for True Cost Accounting
The theoretical basis
The rather complex issue of “allocation” in Product-Service Systems and in the End of Life phase, has been resolved in a practical and consistent way (where the existing LCA methodology failed until now to provide sufficient practical answers). This makes the system suitable for Cradle to Cradle calculations.
Furthermore the model comprises a system for modelling the issue of land-use and use of water, to be applied in LCA, as well as the issues of Natural and Social capital in True Cost Accounting.
The theoretical basis of the model has been published in the Int. J. of LCA and some subsequent publications in J. of Cleaner Production , J. of Sustainable Product Design, Int. J. of Ecodynamics, Sustainability (MDPI), and Energy (MDPI). Text books are available for students (publishers: Delft Academic Press, Delft, The Netherlands).
Databases for calculations
To facilitate calculations, a set of data on the eco-costs is provided in the Excel files at this site (eco-costs for more than 8000 pure substances, materials, processes and services). These data are also available in databases for Simapro and Open LCA. See downloads.
The Idemat2022 data are open access (CC-BY); the calculations are in compliance with the ISO 140040, 140044, EN15804, and the LCA handbook of the ILCD. The eco-costs indicator system is in compliance with ISO 14008.
NEW: worldwide electricity data of 218 countries plus the 26 electricity regions in the US, 44 provinces in India, 13 provinces of Canada and 31 provinces in China, based on the most recent emission data (and therefore more accurate that Ecoinvent and Gabi LCIs, especially for the EU, USA, and Canada)
The IdematLightLCA app
The Idemat App for Materials Selection, available for IOS and Android, has been developed to facilitate designers and engineers with their choices on materials. It is based on the Idemat data.
The IdematLightLCA App enables even Full LCA calculations, and shows the advantage of the circular economy.
See for a description of these apps the description and background information at this site, with two instruction videos, and with information how to download. Fairphone users who want avoid Google, find here a click to download the aps as well.
Sustainability Impact Metrics
Sustainability Impact Metrics is a spin-off
of the Delft University of Technology