Life Cycle Network launch event

Launch of the Imperial Network of Excellence in Sustainability through Life Cycle Approaches

The official launch of the Network of Excellence in Sustainability through Life Cycle Approaches, also known as the Imperial Life Cycle Network, took place on Wednesday 8th May at Imperial College London.

Researchers across various Imperial departments apply life cycle thinking and life cycle approaches to their research activities. Until now there has been limited visibility of the life cycle expertise at Imperial College London, as well as a lack of networking and awareness between Imperial colleagues using the same approach and methodologies. The Life Cycle Network was therefore established to bring together and connect life cycle-related research and researchers across the college, as well as to provide links to experts from other universities, alongside private and government sectors.

"The Imperial Networks of Excellence establish and grow connections around important multidisciplinary areas by bringing together experts from different Imperial faculties. At this event, it was delightful to see how the external stakeholders in attendance, from industry to other UK and European colleagues, value the Imperial Sustainability of Life Cycle Approaches Network initiative and how much interest it has attracted thus far.” - Imperial College’s Network Development Manager, Dr Sara Lamas Marques"

Official Launch Event

The official launch of the Network saw interest from over 100 people and provided an afternoon of sharing life cycle knowledge and networking between those active in the life cycle field in the UK and beyond. Prof. Nick Jennings, Imperial’s Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise), opened the launch event by stressing the importance of holistic, systems-wide thinking in sustainability.

Imperial College London’s Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise), Prof. Nick Jennings, opening the launch event and Dr Onesmus Mwabonje, Network Co-Leader, introducing the Life Cycle Network.
Left: Imperial’s Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise), Professor Nick Jennings, opening the launch event and right: Dr Onesmus Mwabonje, Network Co-Leader, introducing the Life Cycle Network.

Life cycle approaches

The multi-disciplinary nature of the life cycle field is evident by its application in a range of Imperial departments. The Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP), Chemical Engineering, including its Sustainable Gas Institute, as well as the Energy Futures Lab and the department of Earth Science and Engineering all presented on their use of life cycle approaches.

(From top left to bottom right) Prof. Nick Voulvoulis (Centre for Environmental Policy), Dr. Carlos Pozo Fernandez (Department of Chemical Engineering), Dr. Paul Balcombe (Sustainable Gas Institute) and Prof. Anna Korre (Energy Futures Lab and Department of Earth Science and Engineering) presenting on the use of life cycle approaches in the various Imperial departments, centres and institutes.
(From top left to bottom right) Prof. Nick Voulvoulis (Centre for Environmental Policy), Dr. Carlos Pozo Fernandez (Department of Chemical Engineering), Dr. Paul Balcombe (Sustainable Gas Institute) and Prof. Anna Korre (Energy Futures Lab and Department of Earth Science and Engineering) presenting on the use of life cycle approaches in the various Imperial departments, centres and institutes.

Whilst external Network members from the University of Surrey and UCL further confirmed the importance of life cycle-related research within academia, external speakers from government (Department for Transport), industry (Tata Steel Europe) and consulting (ERM) also demonstrated the importance of the life cycle approach in their respective sectors. Leading LCA software providers PRé Sustainability/SimaPro UK and thinkstep were also represented at the event.

(Clockwise from top left) Professor Richard Murphy presented on the extensive use of life cycle approaches at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey; Dr Aiduan Borrion gave an overview of UCL’s life cycle expertise; Dr Carly Whittaker, Dr Mireille Rack (Co-Leader of the Network) and Bryan Hartlin presented on behalf of the UK Department for Transport, Tata Steel Europe and ERM respectively on the uses of life cycle approaches within government, industry and consulting.
(Clockwise from top left) Professor Richard Murphy presented on the extensive use of life cycle approaches at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey; Dr Aiduan Borrion gave an overview of UCL’s life cycle expertise; Dr Carly Whittaker, Dr Mireille Rack (Co-Leader of the Network) and Bryan Hartlin presented on behalf of the UK Department for Transport, Tata Steel Europe and ERM respectively on the uses of life cycle approaches within government, industry and consulting.

Panel discussion

A panel discussion on ‘Sustainability through Life Cycle Approaches’ debated on how life cycle approaches can support the road towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and a Circular Economy, and touched upon current gaps and limitations within the life cycle field.

A panel discussion on ‘sustainability through life cycle approaches’ with (from left to right) moderator Dr Mairi Black (University of Surrey) and panellists: Dr Fritz Balkau (independent adviser sustainable solutions), Johanna Jarvinen (Bionova) and Dr Sandy Smith (thinkstep).
A panel discussion on ‘sustainability through life cycle approaches’ with (from left to right) moderator Dr Mairi Black (University of Surrey) and panellists: Dr Fritz Balkau (independent adviser sustainable solutions), Johanna Jarvinen (Bionova) and Dr Sandy Smith (thinkstep).

Keynote talk & close

Philip Strothmann, co-founder and CFOO of the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation, gave the keynote talk, providing an overview of developments in the life cycle field and sharing experiences of fostering a life cycle network.

CEP’s Deputy Head of Department, Dr. Jeremy Woods, closed the event by confirming the Network’s mandate to not just exist, but to expand and lead the way in creating a UK-wide life cycle community.

(Left to right): The keynote talk was provided by Philip Strothmann of FSLCI; The Network’s host department’s Deputy Head of Department, Dr Jeremy Woods (Centre for Environmental Policy), closed the event, highlighting that the reach of the Network extends outside of Imperial College London to the wider UK and beyond.
(Left to right): The keynote talk was provided by Philip Strothmann of FSLCI; The Network’s host department’s Deputy Head of Department, Dr Jeremy Woods (Centre for Environmental Policy), closed the event, highlighting that the reach of the Network extends outside of Imperial College London to the wider UK and beyond.

Photo gallery

View pictures of the event.

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