Life Cycle Summer School 2025

Closing the Loop: A Deep Dive into Life Cycle Approaches & Regional Circular Economy

Driving regional sustainable transformation through LCM

This four-day program, taking place in Berlin from August 28 to 31, 2025, is designed to explore how life cycle management (LCM) tools can drive regional sustainability in a practical, policy‐oriented manner. The event brings together professionals, researchers, and regional managers to develop strategies that integrate sustainability into regional planning and decision-making. While much of the available literature and academic research has focused on life cycle assessment (LCA) methods – often of a scientific or ecological orientation – this program will broaden the conversation by examining the application of life cycle management in public administration. In doing so, it addresses an evident gap: traditional LCA studies rarely consider the unique challenges of regional governance and the integration of management-oriented methodologies.

Global resource extraction has increased tenfold over the past century and is projected to double by 2030, intensifying resource scarcity and environmental challenges. Although the circular economy is widely recognized as a potential solution, its regional implementation is poorly understood. The literature— dominated by academic, science/ecology-based assessments — often overlooks the role of regions and life cycle management strategies. In contrast, regional officials are increasingly driven by the need to address multiple, interconnected issues such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), national policy pressures on climate, energy, and biodiversity, as well as the influence of EU policy and local pressure groups. As an example of growing interest in these topics, Adami and Schiavon (2021) introduce the concept of circular ecology as an evolution of the circular economy paradigm. Their work highlights integrated waste management strategies that address multiple environmental issues simultaneously. 

Recognizing these driving forces, this program advocates for a holistic life cycle approach that avoids the creation of secondary impacts by asking: “Why LCM?” With 17 interconnected SDGs, a life cycle perspective is essential for effective, preventive management in regional contexts.

Audience

Registration is open to undergraduate, doctoral, post-doctoral students, and young professionals —including researchers and professionals under 40 — who are eager to explore life cycle assessment, sustainability, and circular economy strategies. In addition, officials from regional institutions are strongly encouraged to register. This diverse audience will benefit from the practical insights and innovative approaches presented, enabling a cross-sector dialogue between academia, industry, and public policy.

Program

To learn more about the summer school and the program, please download our info brochure!

Registration

The registration fee is 500€ for students & regional officials and 650€ for young professionals. An Early Bird Rebate of 100€ is offered which can be combined with a rebate of up to 30€ (student) / 120€ (full) for FSLCI members. The registration fee covers access to all lectures, workshops, webinars and as well as the online collaboration platform and downloadable course material. In addition all lunches and one networking dinner during LCSS 2025 are included.

Deadlines

• 31.05.2025 – Early Bird Registration Deadline
• 15.08.2025 – Registration Deadline

Application

More more information on the program will be published soon. In the meantime you can apply by filling out the application form below:

If the application form does not show up, you can access the form alternatively via this link.