Tourism LCA: state-of-the-art and perspectives

Abstract

Background, aim and scope Records over the last decades indicate a high growth rate for tourism, making it one of the most important industries in the world economy. Since estimates outline a consolidation of this trend, an accurate identification and assessment of the environmental impacts related to the life cycle of tourist products is increasingly necessary. By reviewing and comparing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) case studies in the tourism sector, this paper aims to identify life cycle approaches that may be used as a basis for the subsequent development of sectorial Life Cycle Thinking guidelines. Main Features The following characterising elements were analysed for each case study reviewed, bearing in mind ISO 14044:2006 contents: goal, functional unit, system boundaries, inventory data quality and assessment methods of the environmental impacts. Results The few LCA implementations found in the literature vary considerably as regards the object studied and the methodological choices made. Specifically, the objects studied could be categorised as follows: accommodation services; buildings (hotel structures); tourist package holiday; the entire tourism industry. The main methodological choices made regard: system boundaries, data quality requirements and methods for assessing environmental impacts. Discussion A critical analysis of case studies revealed considerable dissimilarities as regards time reference and methodology application. Even though these differences made any comparison of results difficult, a few findings on methodological approaches might be outlined. Because the goal and scope definition profoundly affects LCA results, particular emphasis has been given to objectives and system boundaries.Conclusions The low number of studies found in the literature could indicate either that there are significant obstacles to adopting this approach or the limited awareness of LCA in tourism's drivers. The main obstacles might be: the complicated nature of the tourism system; the lack of specific LCA databases for tourism and related sectors; the tourism industry's low consideration of the environmental impact categories that are generally taken into account in impact assessment methodologies. Perspectives In order to promote the applicability and dissemination of LCA within the tourism sector, a number of methodological approaches and guidelines should be developed further. Moreover, it might be necessary to look into the possibility of integrating LCA with other instruments, such as environmental support tools for assessment, management, and design, as well as communication and marketing. Further synergies should be investigated regarding environmental instruments for passenger transportation, and specific tools that focus on the economic and social aspects of sustainability.

Use of Household Survey Data as a Tool to Assess the Carbon Footprint of Rural Tourist Accommodation and Related Services in China: A Case Study of Mount Qingcheng

“…Although LCA is aimed at studying all stages of tourism products or services, due to the complexity of the tourism system and the difficulty of obtaining detailed data, there are some limitations in the use of LCA. When using LCA and LCEA (life cycle energy analysis) to conduct environmental assessments for hotels, some studies have eliminated the environmental effects of hotel construction and hotel equipment [9]. Furthermore, some studies estimate that 15% of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from hotel operations are from indirect emissions resulting from hotel construction.…”

“…Currently, research concerning carbon emissions in the tourism industry often overlooks or underestimates carbon emissions due to tourism construction carried out by tourism operators to provide accommodation and related services for tourists [9,10]. Recently, a number of authors have explored the application of lifecycle assessment (LCA) in tourism, and there has been work on LCA in tourism around the world [11][12][13].…”

The carbon footprint appraisal of local visitor travel in Brazil: A case of the Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo itinerary

“…There is growing evidence demonstrating that the 'indirect' environmental impacts can be substantial and, in some cases, they can even surpass the magnitude of the 'direct' environmental effects which underlines the importance of their thorough investigation (Chwieduk 2003). All this contributes to the true comprehensiveness and accuracy of the LCA method which positively differentiates it from alternatives and determines a steady growth of its applications in a number of disciplines and subject areas, including tourism (De Camillis et al 2010).…”

Ecological Footprint Analysis of Canned Sweet Corn

“…Previous research conducted on LCA determined that it was difficult to translate the results into a simple and comprehensive interpretation [Camillis et al 2010, Zamagni et al 2008, Castellani and Sala 2012]. This triggered an effort to simplify the acquired LCA results into a more understandable pattern.…”