Research
The parts of this we have not solved
Publishing a methodology means publishing its weaknesses too. These are the open problems we are working on now.
Category baselines
Baselines are the largest source of leverage in the score and the least standardised input in the field. We are widening the sample behind each one.
Craft production factors
Most factor databases assume industrial production. Hand production at small scale is poorly represented and we currently approximate it.
End-of-life
We stop at the customer, with a single recyclability adjustment. Modelling real disposal outcomes by market is unsolved.
Water accounting
Water figures are volumetric and ignore local scarcity. A scarcity-weighted figure would mean more and is harder to source.
Working in the open
Each methodology release notes which of these questions moved. Where a change materially shifts scores, the catalogue is re-scored and previous figures stay in the record.
If you work on any of these problems, we would rather talk than duplicate effort.