How can I properly cite the data when I use OpenLCA for analyses to be performed for an article?

Question

Hello everyone, I am fairly new to LCA and OpenLCA software. First of all, accept my apologies if this has been asked before. But still, I would need more detailed answers since, as I mentioned, I started to think about doing LCA analyses today. Actually, I have just discovered OpenLCA, and wondering a few things:

1) Can I use this for academic research purposes like articles, projects, theses? And if yes, how should I cite the software?

2) I am not sure about the working mechanism of OpenLCA. I haven't downloaded and glanced at it yet. As far as I understand, it uses different databases, like Ecoinvent. Does it also support "Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE)" by University of Bath? (I am specifically asking this for some private reasons).

3) And I assume I should cite the database used also. After all, all the calculations are performed based on the data they provide. Does OpenLCA provide proper citations in APA or another format? Or should I look for on the web?

Accept my apologies if these are questions whose answers are obvious but I am a true beginner to LCA who has just decided to work on these, and I need to clarify everything before I decide to use the software.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi and welcome,

no need to apologise (except maybe for writing openLCA with a capital O..) -

1 yes of course

2 we have not tried to integrate ICE from Bath university, it depends on the format, we can discuss; I was not aware that this is publicly available

3 openLCA is a modeling tool, please do not expect that it automatically provides correct citations but you will manage yourself (I guess).

All the best,

Andreas

Comments

Hi Andreas,
could you please give an indication on how we should/could cite the use of the software openLCA in a publication?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Monika