Life cycle based risk and opportunity mapping: a systematic collaborative procedure to integrate environmental and health aspects into early innovation for scoping and pre-screening for 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. This 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 are 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 initially in an SSbD assessment to serve as scoping analysis and be revisited during the further stages of the SSbD process, promoting transparency and knowledge sharing among involved parties. 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.