A framework for actualising normalisation data in LCA: Experiences in the Netherlands

Bias in normalization: Causes, consequences, detection and remedies

“…Regional normalization, finally, has been proposed in slightly different forms by quite a few authors (e.g., Tolle 1997, Hauschild & Wenzel 1998, Breedveld et al 1999). In such a normalization set-up one either selects a different reference region for different impact categories (e.g., a state or province for smog, a country for acidification, and the world for climate change), or one selects the region of interest for all impact categories (e.g., a country if the LCA is used for national decision making).…”

Normalisation and weighting in life cycle assessment: quo vadis?

“…Consumptionbased territorial normalisation retains a very marginal role in LCA applications, with only two sets of normalisation references for Finland and the Netherlands (see Table 2) (Breedveld et al, 1999;Dahlbo et al, 2013;Laurent and Hauschild, 2015). The large data requirement for consistent inclusion of environmental flows related to imports still prevents the determination of reliable and comprehensive consumption-based normalisation references (Laurent and Hauschild, 2015).…”

“…National or regional production-based normalisation references have been the most used in LCA studies due to the early determination in the 90s of normalisation references for a number of countries, such as the Netherlands or Denmark (Breedveld et al, 1999;Wenzel et al, 1997).…”

“…Characterized indicator results of the system(s) under study are divided by the characterized indicator results of the total activities taking place in the world over the reference duration (assumed balance between consumption and production) (Huijbregts et al, 2003;Itsubo et al, 2015;Sleeswijk et al, 2008;Stranddorf et al, 2005) Productionbased, territorial systems Characterized indicator results of the system(s) under study are divided by the characterized indicator results associated with all territorial activities in a region or country, including its exports but excluding its imports, thus accounting for all environmental flows that take place within the physical or geographical boundaries of that region/country over the reference duration (Bare et al, 2006;Breedveld et al, 1999;Cucurachi et al, 2014;Dahlbo et al, 2013;Foley and Lant, 2009;Huijbregts et al, 2003;Itsubo et al, 2015;Itsubo et al, 2012;Itsubo et al, 2004;Kim et al, 2013;Laurent and Hauschild, 2015;Laurent et al, 2011a;Laurent et al, 2011b;Lautier et al, 2010;Lundie et al, 2007;Ryberg et al, 2014;Sala et al, 2015;Sleeswijk et al, 2008;Stranddorf et al, 2005;Strauss et al, 2006;Wenzel et al, 1997) Consumptionbased, territorial systems Characterized indicator results of the system(s) under study are divided by the characterized indicator results associated with the total territorial consumption of a region/country, including its imports but excluding its exports. It thus accounts for the environmental flows from all up-and downstream processes needed to support the consumption activities of that region/country over the reference duration, including those that occur outside its physical or geographical boundaries as a consequence of the activities taking place within that region or nation.…”

“…It thus accounts for the environmental flows from all up-and downstream processes needed to support the consumption activities of that region/country over the reference duration, including those that occur outside its physical or geographical boundaries as a consequence of the activities taking place within that region or nation. (Breedveld et al, 1999;Dahlbo et al, 2013;Laurent and Hauschild, 2015) CarryingCharacterized indicator results are divided by the normalisation references representing (Bjørn and Hauschild, 2015) Pizzol, M, A Laurent, S Sala, F Verones, the carrying capacity of the reference system (e.g. world) for each impact category * Alternatives are defined as any compared system (whether they relate to different scenarios of a same product system or to different product systems).…”