Advancing Sustainability Through Data-Driven Science
LCA Hub: Laboratory for Life Cycle Assessment of Socio-Economic Systems is a research laboratory focused on problem-solving in the field of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We operate at the intersection of science, policy, and business, helping to make sustainable decisions based on objective data.
The laboratory was established and operates within the Department of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration at Sumy State University.
🌍 Our Vision
To be the leading center of knowledge on Life Cycle Assessment in Ukraine and a trusted international partner in shaping a sustainable future.
🎯 Our Mission. We strive to:
- Promote a systematic approach to ensuring sustainable development through LCA;
- Conduct high-quality research in line with international standards;
- Provide research and analytical services to companies, government agencies, research organizations, academia, and NGOs worldwide;
- Contribute to the improvement of tools for analyzing the sustainability of products, services, processes, and organizations;
- Spread Life Cycle Thinking practices in Ukraine and beyond.
The LCA Hub research team consists of scientists specializing in various fields, including economics, environmental management, ecology, law, and more. The core team of researchers represents the Department of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration at Sumy State University.
Inna Koblianska – PhD, Head of the Laboratory, Leading Researcher, Associate Professor of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration Department, Sumy State University, ORCID
Personnel involved in research projects at the laboratory:
Viacheslav Voronenko (responsible executor, technical support), Oleksandr Kubatko, Bohdan Kovalov, Iryna Sotnyk, Yevhen Kovalenko, Kostiantyn Zavrazhnyi, Svitlana Lytvynenko, Oleksandra Kubatko, Vladyslava Zavhorodnia, Anna Slavko, Olha Shvaher, Olha Chasnyk (organisational support) and others.
Young researchers:
Anzhelika Kulyk, Ivan Lytvynenko, Sofiia Danilova, Mariia Dudka, Vladyslav Piven and others.
The main goal of the Laboratory is to promote the dissemination of knowledge and awareness of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and to develop and enhance the theoretical and methodological foundations for sustainable life cycle management of products, services, production processes, and systems. This includes considering their environmental, social, and economic impacts, conducting fundamental and applied research on LCA, creating national LCA databases, and optimizing production processes and ecological design.
The main tasks of the Laboratory:
- Conducting fundamental and applied LCA research to assess ecological footprints, resource efficiency, and the impact of decarbonization on industrial systems, with a focus on circular economy principles.
- Creating and validating national LCA databases to adapt international methodologies to Ukrainian conditions and developing new approaches to data collection, modeling, and analysis.
- Developing algorithms and models for LCA analysis to evaluate the economic and environmental efficiency of technological solutions, and applying AI and machine learning to predict product life cycles.
- Optimizing production processes based on LCA, aiming to reduce carbon footprints, resource intensity, and environmental impacts.
The key functions of the Laboratory:
- Conducting scientific research on LCA of products, services, production processes, and systems, considering their environmental, social, and economic aspects.
- Developing and implementing innovative LCA methods to evaluate the environmental and economic efficiency of production processes, including the use of digital technologies, big data, and AI.
- Performing theoretical and experimental research in LCA and related interdisciplinary areas (ecological design, decarbonization, resource efficiency, production system optimization, and circular economy).
- Creating and verifying national LCA databases that contain local production process parameters and environmental indicators for accurate life cycle assessments.
- Addressing scientific and technical challenges to improve LCA methodologies, including developing algorithms, integrating international standards, and adapting global approaches to Ukrainian conditions.
- Developing competencies in students to solve complex problems in life cycle management theory and methodology.
- Enhancing the professional competencies and qualifications of personnel in life cycle management theory and methodology, LCA methodologies (social, environmental, economic assessments), ecological design, and the optimization of production processes.
🔬 Ongoing Projects
- Fundamentals of Sustainable and Inclusive Regional Spatial Development for Post-War Reconstruction in the Context of Digital Transformation, Funded by a grant from the state budget of Ukraine, Project ID: #0125U001620, 2025-2027, https://econ.biem.sumdu.edu.ua/en/fundamentals-of-sustainable
- FIBIOPACK Project: development of bio-based packaging solutions (LCA part) https://fibiopack.eu
📚 Selected Publications
- Koblianska, I., Kalachevska, L., & Schlauderer, R. (2024).Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment: A System-Wide Bibliometric Research. Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, 10(1).
https://doi.org/10.51599/are.2024.10.01.03 - Koblianska, I., Lukash, S., & Brychko, A. (2024).Evolution and Modernity of Policy Issues in Carbon Management. In Agroforestry for Carbon and Ecosystem Management (pp. 387–402). Elsevier.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95393-1.00001-4 - Melnyk, L., Koblianska, I., Dehtyarova, I., & Kubatko, O. (2024).Navigating Sustainability and Ecosystem Management Through a Systemic Lens: Core Principles. In Ecosystem Management (1st ed., pp. 353–396). Wiley.
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394231249.ch11 - Mishenin, Y., Yarova, I., & Koblianska, I. (2024).Sustainable Spatial Agroforestry in the Context of Forestry Globalization: Strategic Guidelines. In Agroforestry (1st ed., pp. 155–198). Wiley.
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394231164.ch6 - Коблянська, І. (2022).Еволюція методології оцінювання життєвого циклу: світовий та вітчизняний контексти. Економіка та суспільство, 42.
https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2022-42-27
🎓 Learning Materials
- Koblianska, I. (2022).Life Cycle Assessment: EU Best Practices (Didactic materials of the course). Zenodo. In Ukrainian.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7262964
Great things are coming! We’ll soon share stories about our projects, achievements, and events. Stay connected!
We are open to building a network of partners committed to advancing sustainable solutions through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Whether you’re interested in collaboration, research, or learning more about our work — feel free to reach out!
📧 Email: lcahub.ssu@gmail.com
🏛 Address: Department of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration, Sumy State University, Soborna St. 39, 40000, Sumy, Ukraine