What is openLCA?

What is openLCA?#

openLCA is a free, open-source Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software developed by GreenDelta. First released in 2006, it has become one of the most widely used LCA tools in the world, used by manufacturers, consultancies, researchers and universities across more than 100 countries.

It runs as a desktop application on Windows, Mac and Linux. Unlike many LCA tools, openLCA is completely free to download and use, though some of the background databases it connects to require a separate licence.

What can you do with openLCA?#

openLCA supports the full LCA workflow as defined under ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. This includes:

• Running Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analyses for uncertainty assessment
• Building product system models from raw materials through to end of life
• Calculating environmental impacts such as global warming potential (GWP), energy use, water consumption and waste
• Connecting to life cycle inventory (LCI) databases such as ecoinvent, GaBi and the free databases available through openLCA Nexus
• Producing results that can feed into Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), BREEAM and LEED credits, and net zero reporting

How does openLCA compare to other LCA software?#

The main alternatives to openLCA are SimaPro and GaBi. Both are well-established commercial tools with strong customer support and polished interfaces. openLCA’s main advantages are cost (free), transparency (open-source code), and flexibility. Its main disadvantage is that the learning curve can be steeper, particularly for users new to LCA methodology.

For organisations starting out with LCA or running studies in-house, openLCA is a practical and credible choice. For regulated outputs such as verified EPDs, the software itself is only one part of what’s needed. The study also needs to follow the relevant product category rules and be reviewed by an accredited third-party verifier.

What databases work with openLCA?#

openLCA connects to a wide range of LCI databases through openLCA Nexus, the largest LCI data repository in the world. Some databases are free, including:

• ProBas (German Environmental Agency)
• ELCD (European reference database)
• US Life Cycle Inventory Database (USLCI)

Commercial databases available through Nexus include ecoinvent, one of the most widely used in professional LCA practice.

How to download and install openLCA#

openLCA can be downloaded directly from openlca.org/download-form. The installation process is straightforward and works on Windows, Mac and Linux. After installation, you can import a database from Nexus and begin building your first product system.

Learning resources for openLCA#

GreenDelta provides several free resources to help users get started:

• openLCA 2 manual with step-by-step guidance
• Case studies and ready-made models
• Official YouTube channel with video tutorials

openLCA Nexus#

openLCA Nexus is the official database repository for openLCA. It hosts both free and commercial LCI databases, as well as models that users can import directly into the software. This makes it the recommended starting point for anyone setting up openLCA for the first time.

onlineLCA#

onlineLCA is a browser-based version of openLCA, useful for users who prefer not to install desktop software or who need to collaborate across teams.

The LCA Collaboration Server#

The LCA Collaboration Server allows teams to work on shared LCA projects, manage versions and control access. It is particularly useful for consultancies and organisations running multiple studies simultaneously.

openLCA training and support in the UK#

Below280 is an official openLCA partner in the UK. We provide training, local technical support, and expert consultancy for organisations using openLCA to carry out LCA studies, produce EPDs, or meet supply chain reporting requirement.

FAQs#