Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a form of chain analysis in which structural pathways in the economic system are delineated and connected to environmental problems. As such, it can be seen as an extension of, or a complement to, energy analysis. The main developments over the past 30 years are sketched in a perspective that puts an emphasis on standardization and scientific consensus creation. We end with a logical next development: a closer cooperation and harmonization with the domain of energy analysis, and an expected growing interest from the energy-application side. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.