ESU-services offers a range of tools which allow the easy calculation and analysis of the environmental impacts of products or services. The idea of a key parameter model (KPM) is to allow the calculation of environmental impacts or carbon footprint for a specific type of product or services. They are based on the knowledge gained with a detailed LCA case study. Excel spreadsheet or web-based solution can be offered. This helps to minimize the project costs if several equivalent products or services shall be analyzed or compared.

Make LCA easy with sector or product specific Excel KPM

The KPM are easy to handle for SME operators, designers, or manufacturers. The users can enter some key data. With the help of the key parameter models for companies, the user can for example carry out a simplified LCA of the annual environmental impacts within a few hours. The users have not to deal with complicated question such as the choice of correct data, different impact assessment methods or details of the LCA such as allocation. Several key parameter models have been developed by ESU-services e.g. for

• the naturemade certification of energy systems (biogas, photovoltaics, solar collector systems, wind, and hydropower plants)
• environmental product declaration (EPD) for run-off-river hydropower plants
• comparing transport chains
• analysing electricity mixes
• calculating the impacts of meals in canteens
• manufacturing of pipes with varied materials and diameters
• investigating the annual impacts and timeline of organization greenhouse gas emissions
• cooperative data collection for food production chains
• comparing different beverage cups, packages, fertilizer substrates, vacation trips, Christmas trees, etc.
• Personal environmental footprint calculators for Switzerland and Germany