Ecoinvent & LCA Training for corporate teams
A practical, hands-on training program that equips teams to run Life Cycle Assessment and Product Carbon Footprint calculations with confidence.
Executive Summary
Whether you are building a technology platform, manufacturing products, or advising clients, integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculations comes with one non-negotiable requirement: the quality of your results depends entirely on the underlying data.
The Ecoinvent database is the global gold standard for LCA data. However, its complexity — 18,000+ datasets, multiple system models, and geographic limitations — can lead to incorrect calculations if implemented without expert guidance.
This program offers a practical, hands-on training to equip your software engineers, sustainability analysts, and product managers with the skills to:
- Explain the four phases of LCA as defined by ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, and identify when each phase applies in their work.
- Formulate a goal and scope statement, including functional unit, system boundaries, and cut-off criteria.
- Navigate ecoinvent through ecoQuery and interpret the metadata, exchanges, and uncertainty information contained in a dataset.
- Distinguish between the three ecoinvent system models (Cut-off, APOS, and Consequential) and select the appropriate one for a given decision context.
- Build, run, and analyse a simple product system using ecoinvent as the background database.
- Identify common methodological pitfalls, including geographic mismatches, double counting, and misuse of market activities (e.g., using “EU-27” grid mix instead of a country-specific proxy).
Training Content
| Module | Subject | Goal | Topics covered | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 The Foundation |
1.1 LCA methodology: the four phases | Understand the core principles of an LCA | Goal and scope definition; life cycle inventory; life cycle impact assessment; interpretation. ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 framework. The iterative nature of LCA studies. Defining the functional unit and reference flow. System boundaries (cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, gate-to-gate). Cut-off criteria. Attributional versus consequential approaches. | 1 h |
| 1.2 Introduction to Ecoinvent | Understand the logic behind Ecoinvent | Ecoinvent system models: cut-off, APOS, consequential. The “activity” vs. “product” concept. System boundaries (cradle-to-gate, -to-grave). Activities, products, elementary flows, and reference products. Difference between transforming activities, infrastructure and capital goods datasets, market activities, and treatment activities. Geography and time dimensions. | 1 h | |
| Module 2 Finding the right data |
2.1 Ecoinvent Architecture | Efficiently search the 18,000+ datasets | Navigating ecoQuery effectively (keywords, geography, time). Understanding exchanges, consuming activities, reading life cycle inventories and life cycle results, choosing the right LCIA method. Other resources. | 1 h |
| Module 3 Integrating Ecoinvent & practical applications |
3.1 Excel-based integration | Use the Excel-based datasets to build LCA models | Data sources for Excel files. Ecoinvent data structure in Excel, additional data sources for LUC-FLAG and electricity grid mix emission factors, ecoinvent documentation reports. | 2 h |
| 3.2 Software integration — openLCA | Deploy ecoinvent in openLCA | Database import procedure. Working with databases in openLCA. Reading a dataset: metadata, inputs, outputs, and uncertainty information. Introduction to the pedigree matrix. | 2 h | |
| 3.3 Modelling principles in openLCA | Automatically create simple LCA models in openLCA | Participants construct a basic product system in openLCA relevant to the participants’ operational context using ecoinvent as the background database. Focus on linking processes, defining the product system, and running the calculation. Interpretation of results. Common modelling mistakes and how to avoid them. | 2 h | |
| Module 4 Data quality and limitations |
4.1 Common pitfalls and best practice | Avoid common pitfalls and implement best practice | Avoid over-promising accuracy and communicate uncertainties to developers and clients. Understand double counting, geographic mismatches, misuse of market activities, and update management across ecoinvent versions. Q&A, next steps, and delivery of certificates. | 1 h |
Pricing & Investment Options
All prices in Euros and exclude VAT (if applicable).
| Package | Scope | Investment (EUR) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A — Foundation | Complete 10-hour training delivered, training slides, cheat sheet and 2-week email follow-up. | € 2,900 | Most companies wanting to upskill a team of 5–10 people quickly. |
| B — Foundation + mentoring | All of the above + 1 month email/chat support + 5-hour call reviewing your actual API implementation. | € 5,900 | Teams that plan to deeply integrate Ecoinvent into their platform and want one month of ongoing support. |
| C — Premium integration | Same as Option A and B, + 3 months email support + 10-hour call support in API implementation. | € 7,000 | Teams that plan to deeply integrate Ecoinvent into their platform and want long-term quality assurance. |
| Optional · Recording | Permission to record sessions. | € 1,000 | Applied on any package. Suitable for fast-growing teams onboarding new developers frequently. |
| Optional · Day rate | Hourly consulting for specific Q&A, ecoinvent model review, or troubleshooting. Minimum 2 hours. | € 200 / hour | After training · ad-hoc support for your software engineers. |
Recommendation. Package B is our recommended option for teams with no prior LCA exposure. The mentoring sessions substantially increase the probability that training content is retained and translated into operational practice — which is the main failure point of stand-alone training interventions.
Deliverables
✓ Included in each package
- Full set of training slides in PDF format (English).
- Curated reference list of ISO standards, UNEP/SETAC guidance, and ecoinvent documentation.
- Certificate of completion issued by the Center for Environmental Sustainability Studies.
✗ Excluded
- Ecoinvent database licenses — contracted directly by the client with the ecoinvent Association, through the openLCA Nexus website or other reseller.
- Applicable taxes, including VAT or withholding taxes applicable in the client’s jurisdiction.
- Subsequent consulting engagements — full LCA studies, critical review, or EPD development. These can be scoped separately.
Commercial Terms & Conditions
Payment schedule
Fifty percent (50%) of the contracted fee is due upon signature of the engagement letter, and the remaining fifty percent (50%) within fifteen (15) days of the final training day. For Package B, the mentoring component is included in the final payment.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by the client more than thirty (30) days before the scheduled start: full refund less 10% administrative fee. Between thirty (30) and fifteen (15) days: 50% refund. Less than fifteen (15) days: no refund, but training may be rescheduled once at no additional fee.
Confidentiality
CESA treats all client information shared during the engagement as confidential and is willing to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement prior to training design. Content used in examples or exercises may be anonymized at the client’s request.
Intellectual property
Training materials remain the intellectual property of CESA. The client and participants receive a perpetual, non-transferable license to use the materials for internal reference. Redistribution outside the client’s organization requires written authorization.
Currency & invoicing
All amounts are invoiced in Euros. Bank transfer details are provided upon acceptance. International wire fees are borne by the payer.
Proposal validity
Any quote derived from this program is valid for sixty (60) days from the issue date. After this period, CESA may adjust pricing or availability.
About CESA & the Trainer
The Center for Environmental Sustainability Studies is an independent environmental consultancy firm based in Guatemala City. The firm supports multinational clients and international development institutions with life cycle assessment, carbon and water footprinting, decarbonization strategy, impact valuation, circular economy analysis, and sustainability reporting. CESA works in English and Spanish and delivers services across Latin America, Europe, and other regions.
Selected clients and project partners include GreenDelta, openLCA, Nestlé, Natura&Co, Philip Morris International, Novartis, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Edgar Sacayón
Edgar Sacayón is the founder of CESA and a Senior Associate at Valuing Impact. He holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Management from Massey University (New Zealand) and a degree in Biology from the San Carlos National University in Guatemala.
As a consultant he has more than 15 years of experience in corporate environmental sustainability, specializing in carbon accounting, life cycle analysis (LCA), water footprint, and impact assessment. He has developed technical carbon footprint models, life cycle studies, and decarbonization strategies for clients in sectors such as food, energy, and beverages.
As Senior Associate Consultant for Valuing Impact (2021–2025), he led the development of EP&L / IP&L models, SROI models, and True Cost Accounting methodologies for multinational companies such as Nestlé, Natura&Co, Nespresso, Philip Morris International, Novartis, and Reckitt, among others.
Proposed Next Steps
If this training program aligns with your team’s needs, the following sequence is proposed:
Acceptance of a formal quote, including selection of the preferred package and delivery format, within the validity period.
Signature of an engagement letter incorporating the selected package, the agreed dates, and any additional provisions requested by the client.
Kick-off call (60 minutes) to align on participant profiles and company expectations, as well as fine-tune delivery dates.
Delivery of pre-training materials to participants two weeks before the training start date.
Ready to train your team?
Tell us about your team’s current level, your objectives, and the format that best suits you. We’ll send a tailored program proposal.