Resource intensity in global food chains: the Hot Spot Analysis

Abstract

Purpose -The Hot Spot Analysis developed by the Wuppertal Institute is a screening tool focussing on the demand of reliable sustainability-oriented decision-making processes in complex value chains identifying high priority areas ("hot spots") for effective measures in companies. This paper aims to focus on this tool. Design/methodology/approach -The Hot Spot Analysis is a qualitative method following a cradle-to-cradle approach. With the examples of coffee and cream cheese hot spots of sustainability indicators throughout the entire life cycle are identified and evaluated with data from literature reviews and expert consultations or stakeholder statements. This paper focuses on the indicator resource efficiency as an example of how the methodology works. Findings -The identified hot spots for coffee are the raw material procurement phase in terms of abiotic material, water and energy consumption, the production phase concerning biotic material and the energy consumption in the use phase. For cream cheese relevant hot spots appear in the raw material procurement phase in terms of biotic materials and water as well as biotic materials and energy consumption during the production phase. Research limitations/implications -Life cycle analyses connected to indicators like resource efficiency need to be applied as consequent steps of a Hot Spot Analysis if a deeper level of analysis is eventually aimed at which is more cost and time intensive in the short term. The Hot Spot Analysis can be combined with other sustainability management instruments. Practical implications -Research and management can be directed to hot spots of sustainability potential quickly which pays off in the long term. Originality/value -The paper shows that companies can address sustainability potentials relatively cost moderately.

A case study by life cycle assessment

“…As one of the cost-effective analysis tools, the hotspots analysis creates a map to locate the high energy consumers in the whole life cycle processes, which manage to prioritize the implement of countermeasure based on various levels [6]. The comparison of SLCA points in various phases can be presented in Fig.…”

Microfoundations for Sustainable Growth with Eco-Intelligent Product Service-Arrangements

“…At the same time, this more radical form of PSS offers the most potential for saving environmental space and innovation [67]. In core, the concept addresses aspects of more qualitative and consumer orientated business cases.…”

“…The presented methodology is derived from the concept of material input per service unit (MIPS) [31] and the Hot Spot Analysis [67].…”

The nutritional footprint: an innovative management approach for the food sector

“…Looking at the production side, almost all companies consider only one dimension of environmental pressure. Food processing companies or food manufactures often try to manage their environmental impact by focusing on CO 2 -Footprints, Eco-Indicators such as the Eco-Indicator 99 or comparable analyses like the Hot Spot Analysis (see: [6]), but disregard health impacts -or the other way around, focusing solely on the calorie amount.…”

“…On the one hand, so-called 'prosperity diseases' like obesity, hypertension or diabetes mellitus are increasingly common in many industrialized countries caused by eating too much sugar, fat and salt [3][4][5]. On the other hand, nutrition accounts for huge environmental impacts -not only caused by the high meat consumption and its high impact on climate change, but also its impact on land use patterns, water consumption or loss of biodiversity [6][7][8][9][10].…”