Alexis Laurent

Alexis Laurent is a Professor and Head of the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His research focuses on methodological development and application of life cycle assessment (LCA), with an emphasis on quantifying environmental sustainability of large-scale systems such as nations, sectors, and organisations from an absolute sustainability perspective.

His research interests include:

• Environmental sustainability assessment integrating Earth’s biophysical limits
• Development of methods for assessing performance towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Life cycle impact assessment, focusing on characterisation and normalisation
• Prospective LCA for emerging technologies and societal transitions
• Applications in energy, transport (aviation, maritime, road), waste, food, and nanotechnologies

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in sustainability science, particularly in assessing diets within planetary boundaries, plastic pollution, climate mitigation strategies, and sustainable business models. The research spans interdisciplinary domains, combining environmental science, engineering, and policy, with a focus on practical solutions aligned with global sustainability goals.

Scientific Awards:

• DTU Award for Developing Teaching and Learning (2023)

He actively supervises PhD students and leads major research projects, including those on electric vehicles and sustainable transport. His collaborative network includes institutions and industries worldwide, and he contributes to academic discourse through conference presentations, editorial roles, and guest lectures. He is also involved in projects like FASTER-H2 and SMR-ACAP, focusing on sustainable aviation technologies.

Labs and Teams:

• Quantitative Sustainability Assessment section at DTU
• Research teams on LCA methodology and application
• Project teams for FASTER-H2 and SMR-ACAP on sustainable aircraft design