Overview

ecoinvent Association is a Swiss not-for-profit organisation established in 2013 as an independent entity, evolving from collaborative research efforts in the late 1990s by Swiss institutions including ETH, EPFL, Empa, Agroscope and Paul Scherrer Institute. Its primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive, transparent Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database that supports environmental and sustainability assessments globally. ecoinvent’s mission focuses on promoting access to high-quality environmental data to enable informed sustainability decisions across sectors.

Mission and focus areas

The core mission of ecoinvent is to promote and support the availability of high-quality environmental data worldwide through a regularly maintained and transparent LCI database. This data underpins life cycle assessment (LCA) and related sustainability analyses, allowing users to evaluate environmental impacts of products and services across supply chains. The association contributes to sustainability-driven decision-making by providing robust datasets that inform ESG reporting, product carbon footprinting, supply chain analysis and decarbonisation strategies. Its work aligns with broader sustainability goals by enabling science-based assessments and evidence-driven policy, corporate and academic applications.

Structure and governance

ecoinvent is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from founding institutions and external experts bringing scientific, commercial and strategic insights. Leadership is headed by a CEO, supported by a professional team of environmental scientists, data specialists and LCA experts. The governance framework ensures strategic oversight and quality assurance for database development, partnerships and operational activities. The association collaborates with external partners and stakeholders to advance its mission and promote best practices in LCI data creation and use.

Programs and offerings

ecoinvent’s flagship offering is its annual Life Cycle Inventory database, encompassing tens of thousands of datasets covering sectors such as energy, materials, agriculture and transport. The database supports LCA, environmental footprinting and sustainability reporting, and is widely integrated into leading LCA software tools. ecoinvent also engages in research projects, collaborative initiatives and methodological advancements to expand data coverage and improve quality. Additionally, it provides documentation, user support, licensing options, and opportunities for data submission and research collaboration.

Our mission

To promote and support the availability of high-quality environmental data worldwide to support informed sustainability decisions.