Biodiversity is in a critical state, with IPBES reporting that the current global rate of species extinction is at least 10 to 100 times higher than the historical average. Despite this, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods have significant gaps when it comes to evaluating impacts on biodiversity.

IPBES identifies five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss cause by human activities. However, current Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods do not quantify the effects of direct exploitation, the transformation of marine environments, or invasive species. This study aims to address these gaps by integrating two new impact pathways: the effects of bottom trawling on seabed and the direct exploitation of marine biological resources.

The methodological document is available here.