The GaBi LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) software is a robust tool for assessing the environmental impacts of diverse products, technologies, services, and systems. The GaBi software facilitates the creation of analyses for conducting life cycle assessments (LCA), Design for Environment (DFE), or ecodesign, which can aid in the production of environmentally sustainable products.
This includes reducing the product’s environmental footprint, minimising carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing water consumption, and minimising waste generation. Through the use of GaBi Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Working Environment (LCWE), users can conduct evaluations.
In addition to the well-known ecoinvent database, diverse industries such as electronics, chemicals, plastics, and construction have access to a comprehensive Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database. The databases are capable of evaluating the environmental impact of products and operations.
GaBi comes in two versions namely GaBi Education License and GaBi demo. The features of both versions are discussed below.
Here is an overview of common features found in GaBi education License software:
GaBi Education License
- Free Trial Period: The software provides a generous 6-month free trial period, allowing users to investigate and utilise the software for educational purposes
- Sector Specificity: It has no sector-specific restrictions, making it suitable for a vast range of applications across numerous industries.
- Database Trial: Users have the option to evaluate the software’s database, though its functionality may be limited during the trial period.
- Software Running: Users can install and run the GaBi Education Licence on their PCs
- Database Territoriality (Limited To): The software’s database provides global data access.
- Impact Assessment Methods. The GaBi Education Licence supports Recipe and CML and others. These approaches let users evaluate the environmental impacts across categories using established models and indicators. However, impact assessment like Environmental Footprint (Ef) is unavailable.
- Presentation of results. The software lets users display results of assessments in tables and histograms but cannot be shown using tree charts or Sankey diagrams.
- Possibility To Export Results: Users can export outcomes of assessments for future reference
- Tutorial Availability: The GaBi Education License offers a wide range of tutorials and educational resources to support users in understanding and effectively utilizing the software’s features and functionalities.
Website: https://sphera.com/product-sustainability-software/
Free trial period: 6 months
Sector Specificity: No
Database trial: yes, but reduced
Software running: On PC
Database territoriality: International
Possibility to export results: Yes
Impact assessment methods:
- Recipe: ✓
- CML: ✓
- Environmental Footprint: ✖
- Others: ✓
Presentation of results:
- Tables: ✓
- Istograms: ✓
- Tree charts/sankey diagram: ✖
Tutorial availability:
- None: ✖
- Someone: ✖
- Many: ✓
Note:
The LCA for Experts Education license may only be used for education purposes in programs up to and including the level of master, or equivalent, only at Universities and Colleges. PhD students in non-OECD countries may also use LCA for Experts Education. Projects directly funded by industry or public bodies are not permitted use with an LCA for Experts Education license.