Environmental assessment of future technologies: how to trim LCA to fit this goal?

Introduction New and innovative technologies may claim substantial efficiency gains in the future. However, they are often assessed based on their current performance, measured in the laboratory or in pilot plants. The goal of discussion forum 38 was, on one hand, to shed light on the main drivers and principles that ensure a sensible and fair assessment of far future technologies. On the other hand, the most recent European developments in prospective technology assessment of emerging energy technologies and the related quantification of external costs were touched upon.