UPLB ILCAL Hosts Inaugural International Symposium on Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Transition
With the growing urgency to combat climate change and achieve net-zero targets, the 2024 International Symposium on Life Cycle Assessment took place on October 15, 2024, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss how LCA can drive sustainable transitions worldwide. Themed "Sustainable Transition: Empowering Nations through Life Cycle Assessment," the event was held via Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook, attracting over 300 participants from various sectors, including industry, academia, government, and students across the Philippines.
Life cycle assessment (LCA), a comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and processes throughout their lifecycle, was highlighted as a crucial tool for guiding policy-making, business strategies, and consumer behavior toward sustainability. The symposium focused on sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and encouraging the adoption of LCA methodologies to help countries achieve ambitious climate goals.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Prof. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., PhD, followed by Prof. Nathaniel P. Dugos, PhD, President of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE). Asst. Sec. Romell Antonio Cuenca, Deputy Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need for sustainability frameworks to support national and global climate initiatives. Asst. Prof. Bernadette T. Magadia, Chair of the UPLB Interdisciplinary Life Cycle Assessment Laboratory (UPLB ILCAL) and Co-chair of the organizing committee, introduced UPLB ILCAL’s efforts in organizing the symposium. The event was also supported by the Philippine National Consortium on Net Zero Initiative, with Prof. Rex B. Demafelis, National Convenor of the consortium and the overall chair of the symposium, outlining its objectives and ongoing efforts.
The symposium featured presentations from eight leading experts in LCA and sustainability, including four international and four local speakers. In the first session, Dr. Jacob Cory Kelly (Argonne National Laboratory, USA), Prof. Anthony Halog, PhD (The University of Queensland, Australia), and Dr. Jessica Hanafi (PT Life Cycle Indonesia) discussed international success stories of LCA application. The second session focused on Philippine collaborations among industry, academia, and government, with Prof. Evelyn R. Laurito (University of Santo Tomas, Philippines), Dr. Shirlyn B. Chua-Reyes (Universal Robina Corporation, Philippines), and Engr. Reynaldo L. Esguerra (DOST - Industrial Technology Development Institute, Philippines) sharing insights. Asst. Dir. Ruby B. de Guzman (Renewable Energy Management Bureau, Department of Energy, Philippines) and Assoc. Dir. Souvik Bhattacharjya (The Energy and Resources Institute, India) discussed the practical application of LCA in energy programs and sustainable packaging solutions.
The symposium also included panel discussions and open forums after each session, moderated by Engr. Anna Elaine D. Matanguihan, Dr. Elenita L. Racelis, and Assoc. Prof. Vella A. Atienza, PhD, facilitating productive exchanges between the speakers and participants. The event was hosted by Asst. Prof. Gabriel John de Leon from UPLB’s Department of Industrial Engineering.
The event concluded with a synthesis of the discussions by Assoc. Prof. Maria Victoria M. Sumagang from UPLB’s Department of Chemical Engineering. Prof. Rex B. Demafelis provided the closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing LCA applications to support global climate action.
This inaugural symposium marked a significant step in empowering nations, especially the Philippines, with the tools and frameworks needed to achieve sustainable transitions. By showcasing innovative LCA applications and fostering collaborative networks, the event aligned with global efforts to meet climate goals and promoted the integration of LCA in environmental policies and practices.
Life cycle assessment (LCA), a comprehensive framework for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and processes throughout their lifecycle, was highlighted as a crucial tool for guiding policy-making, business strategies, and consumer behavior toward sustainability. The symposium focused on sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and encouraging the adoption of LCA methodologies to help countries achieve ambitious climate goals.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Prof. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., PhD, followed by Prof. Nathaniel P. Dugos, PhD, President of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE). Asst. Sec. Romell Antonio Cuenca, Deputy Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need for sustainability frameworks to support national and global climate initiatives. Asst. Prof. Bernadette T. Magadia, Chair of the UPLB Interdisciplinary Life Cycle Assessment Laboratory (UPLB ILCAL) and Co-chair of the organizing committee, introduced UPLB ILCAL’s efforts in organizing the symposium. The event was also supported by the Philippine National Consortium on Net Zero Initiative, with Prof. Rex B. Demafelis, National Convenor of the consortium and the overall chair of the symposium, outlining its objectives and ongoing efforts.
The symposium featured presentations from eight leading experts in LCA and sustainability, including four international and four local speakers. In the first session, Dr. Jacob Cory Kelly (Argonne National Laboratory, USA), Prof. Anthony Halog, PhD (The University of Queensland, Australia), and Dr. Jessica Hanafi (PT Life Cycle Indonesia) discussed international success stories of LCA application. The second session focused on Philippine collaborations among industry, academia, and government, with Prof. Evelyn R. Laurito (University of Santo Tomas, Philippines), Dr. Shirlyn B. Chua-Reyes (Universal Robina Corporation, Philippines), and Engr. Reynaldo L. Esguerra (DOST - Industrial Technology Development Institute, Philippines) sharing insights. Asst. Dir. Ruby B. de Guzman (Renewable Energy Management Bureau, Department of Energy, Philippines) and Assoc. Dir. Souvik Bhattacharjya (The Energy and Resources Institute, India) discussed the practical application of LCA in energy programs and sustainable packaging solutions.
The symposium also included panel discussions and open forums after each session, moderated by Engr. Anna Elaine D. Matanguihan, Dr. Elenita L. Racelis, and Assoc. Prof. Vella A. Atienza, PhD, facilitating productive exchanges between the speakers and participants. The event was hosted by Asst. Prof. Gabriel John de Leon from UPLB’s Department of Industrial Engineering.
The event concluded with a synthesis of the discussions by Assoc. Prof. Maria Victoria M. Sumagang from UPLB’s Department of Chemical Engineering. Prof. Rex B. Demafelis provided the closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing LCA applications to support global climate action.
This inaugural symposium marked a significant step in empowering nations, especially the Philippines, with the tools and frameworks needed to achieve sustainable transitions. By showcasing innovative LCA applications and fostering collaborative networks, the event aligned with global efforts to meet climate goals and promoted the integration of LCA in environmental policies and practices.
- Engr. Khiemshie A. Caringal