Life Cycle Based Risk and Opportunity Mapping: A systematic collaborative procedure to integrate environmental and health aspects in early innovation as possible scoping and pre-screening to the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) assessments

Abstract

This article presents a method for life cycle-based evaluation of early-stage innovations, addressing the lack of tools for assessing environmental aspects of emerging technologies. The approach supports the development of clean technologies, chemicals, and materials by fostering dialogue between inventors and evaluators through information exchange and preliminary assessments, even when data is uncertain. Aligned with the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability under the European Green Deal, the Joint Research Center (JRC) introduced a framework for Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) chemicals and materials, emphasizing application during early innovation stages when design choices can still be influenced. The proposed method, Life Cycle-Based Risk and Opportunity Mapping (LCBROM), can be applied before an SSbD assessment to define its scope or during the SSbD process itself, promoting transparency and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. Tested in four case studies focused on developing smart, safe materials and devices for clean air and water, LCBROM revealed that opportunity mapping is essential for engaging innovators but requires a benchmark technology or defined consequences of inaction; several screening methods exist for emerging technologies, yet none are widely adopted; and LCBROM meets four critical criteria for low-TRL tools: ease of use, inclusion of all relevant impacts, broad applicability, and low cost. The method enhances communication between developers, problem owners, and experts, improving mutual understanding, and continues to be refined and validated in ongoing research programs.