Challenges in Life Cycle Assessment: An Overview of Current Gaps and Research Needs

Finkbeiner, Matthias; Ackermann, Robert; Bach, Vanessa; Berger, Markus; Brankatschk, Gerhard; Chang, Ya-Ju; Grinberg, Marina; Lehmann, Annekatrin; Martínez-Blanco, Julia; Minkov, Nikolay; Neugebauer, Sabrina; Scheumann, René; Schneider, Laura; Wolf, Kirana

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8697-3_7

Cited by 73 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 151 publications

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“…The considered environmental impact categories as well as methods are chosen based on their applicability and maturity [29]. Thus, biodiversity and land use are not included as no adequate and applicable methods exist so far [30].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource Efficiency Assessment—Comparing a Plug-In Hybrid with a Conventional Combustion Engine

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The strong economic growth in recent years has led to an intensive use of natural resources, which causes environmental stress as well as restrictions on the availability of resources. Therefore, a more efficient use of resources is necessary as an important contribution to sustainable development. The ESSENZ method presented in this article comprehensively assesses a product's resource efficiency by going beyond existing approaches and considering the pollution of the environment as well as the physical and socio-economic availability of resources. This paper contains a short description of the ESSENZ methodology as well as a case study of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W 205)-comparing the conventional C 250 (petrol engine) with the C 350 e Plug-In Hybrid (electric motor and petrol engine). By applying the ESSENZ method it can be shown that the use of more and different materials for the Plug-In-Hybrid influences the dimensions physical and socio-economic availability significantly. However, for environmental impacts, especially climate change and summer smog, clear advantages of the C 350 e occur due to lower demand of fossil energy carriers. As shown within the case study, the when applying the ESSENZ method a comprehensive evaluation of the used materials and fossil energy carriers can be achieved.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource Efficiency Assessment—Comparing a Plug-In Hybrid with a Conventional Combustion Engine

et al. 2016

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“…For example, for the toxicity categories tens of thousands of substances have theoretically to be considered, but data for far less than 1000 actually exist [48]. Hence, normalization factors are typically based on a small amount of substances only, i.e., are set too low.…”

Section: Normalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot Phase—Comparability over Flexibility?

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The main goal of the European product environmental footprint (PEF) method is to increase comparability of environmental impacts of products within certain product categories by decreasing flexibility and therefore achieving reproducibility of results. Comparability is supposed to be further increased by developing product category specific rules (PEFCRs). The aim of this paper is to evaluate if the main goal of the PEF method has been achieved. This is done by a comprehensive analysis of the PEF guide, the current PEFCR guide, the developed PEFCRs, as well as the insights gained from participating in the pilot phase. The analysis reveals that the PEF method as well as its implementation in PEFCRs are not able to guarantee fair comparability due to shortcomings related to the (1) definition of product performance; (2) definition of the product category; (3) definition and determination of the representative product; (4) modeling of electricity; (5) requirements for the use of secondary data; (6) circular footprint formula; (7) life cycle impact assessment methods; and (8) approach to prioritize impact categories. For some of these shortcomings, recommendations for improvement are provided. This paper demonstrates that the PEF method has to be further improved to guarantee fair comparability.

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“…SimaPro, GaBi and SULCA can be mentioned as examples of LCA calculation tools (Loijos 2012;VTT 2014). Naturally, like every method, LCA has its limitations, for example, inclusion of biodiversity, littering, or animal well-being may be difficult in the calculations, due to lacking data and limitations in impact categories (Finkbeiner et al 2014). Such challenges and limitations must be considered and recognized in the goal and scope definition phase when using the method.…”

Section: Goaland Scope Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing the Life Cycle to Reduce Environmental Impacts

Pajula

Behm

Vatanen

et al. 2017

Dynamics of Long-Life Assets

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Driven by public awareness and international regulations and standards, sustainability and environmental impacts have become increasingly important distinguishing factors between competing products and services. Circular economy aims to increase economic growth by using natural resources and ecosystems in a more effective way with the aim of maintaining products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times. More effective use of materials enables the creation of more value both by cost savings and by developing new markets or by developing existing ones. Reduced acquisition of resources is a driver for innovation for sustainable use of materials, components and products as well as new business models. This chapter introduces methods and tools to assess and reduce environmental impacts, and improve resource efficiency and sustainability management. Life cycle thinking forms one of the basic principles of sustainable development, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the leading method for assessing the potential environmental impacts of a product, process or service throughout its life cycle (ISO 14040-44). Other methods based on life cycle thinking are also introduced. LCA focusing on the contribution of a product or service to global warming uses methods for Carbon Footprint measurement and facilitates the tracking of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (ISO 14067). Water footprint is a tool that assesses the magnitude of potential water-specific environmental impacts of water use associated with a product, process or organisation. It aims at describing the impact of water utilization on humans and ecosystems due to changes in water quality and quantity (ISO 14046 Environmental managementWater footprint-Principles, requirements and guidelines 2014). The concept of handprint has recently been introduced to measure and communicate the positive changes of actions and the beneficial impacts created within the life cycle of products, services, processes, companies, organizations or individuals. A handprint of a product can be created either by preventing or avoiding negative impacts (footprints), or by creating positive benefits. When adopting the circular economy way of thinking, companies need these tools and methods to ensure resource efficiency, cost cuts and improvements in their environmental performance which provide them with more earning opportunities. Fundamental changes throughout the value chain, from product design and production processes to new business models and consumption patterns, support this trend.

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Challenges in Life Cycle Assessment: An Overview of Current Gaps and Research Needs

Cited by 73 publications

References 151 publications

Resource Efficiency Assessment—Comparing a Plug-In Hybrid with a Conventional Combustion Engine

Resource Efficiency Assessment—Comparing a Plug-In Hybrid with a Conventional Combustion Engine

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot Phase—Comparability over Flexibility?

Managing the Life Cycle to Reduce Environmental Impacts

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