Development of an LCA methodology to assess the environmental impacts of process changes: two case studies in Sweden

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Davis ◽  
Ulf Sonesson* ◽  
Karin Östergren
Buildings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia MIRABELLA ◽  
Martin RÖCK ◽  
Marcella Ruschi Mendes SAADE ◽  
Carolin SPIRINCKX ◽  
Marc BOSMANS ◽  
...  

Globally, the building sector is responsible for more than 40% of energy use and it contributes approximately 30% of the global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This high contribution stimulates research and policies to reduce the operational energy use and related GHG emissions of buildings. However, the environmental impacts of buildings can extend wide beyond the operational phase, and the portion of impacts related to the embodied energy of the building becomes relatively more important in low energy buildings. Therefore, the goal of the research is gaining insights into the environmental impacts of various building strategies for energy efficiency requirements compared to the life cycle environmental impacts of the whole building. The goal is to detect and investigate existing trade-offs in current approaches and solutions proposed by the research community. A literature review is driven by six fundamental and specific research questions (RQs), and performed based on two main tasks: (i) selection of literature studies, and (ii) critical analysis of the selected studies in line with the RQs. A final sample of 59 papers and 178 case studies has been collected, and key criteria are systematically analysed in a matrix. The study reveals that the high heterogeneity of the case studies makes it difficult to compare these in a straightforward way, but it allows to provide an overview of current methodological challenges and research gaps. Furthermore, the most complete studies provide valuable insights in the environmental benefits of the identified energy performance strategies over the building life cycle, but also shows the risk of burden shifting if only operational energy use is focused on, or when a limited number of environmental impact categories are assessed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binita Shah ◽  
Seema Unnikrishnan

Purpose India is a developing economy along with an increasing population estimated to be the largest populated country in about seven years. Simultaneously, its power consumption is projected to increase more than double by 2020. Currently, the dependence on coal is relatively high, making it the largest global greenhouse gas emitting sector which is a matter of great concern. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the natural gas electricity generation in India and propose a model using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Design/methodology/approach LCA is used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impact of the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant, as it adopts a holistic approach towards the whole process. The LCA methodology used in this study follows the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards (ISO 14040: 2009; ISO 14044: 2009). A questionnaire was designed for data collection and validated by expert review primary data for the annual environmental emission was collected by personally visiting the power plant. The study follows a cradle to gate assessment using the CML (2001) methodology. Findings The analysis reveals that the main impacts were during the process of combustion. The Global warming potential is approximately 0.50 kg CO2 equivalents per kWh of electricity generation from this gas-based power plant. These results can be used by stakeholders, experts and members who are authorised to probe positive initiative for the reduction of environmental impacts from the power generation sector. Practical implications Considering the pace of growth of economic development of India, it is the need of the hour to emphasise on the patterns of sustainable energy generation which is an important subject to be addressed considering India’s ratification to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. This paper analyzes the environmental impacts of gas-based electricity generation. Originality/value Presenting this case study is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the challenges associated with gas-based electricity generation in India. It gives a direction and helps us to better understand the right spot which require efforts for the improvement of sustainable energy generation processes, by taking appropriate measures for emission reduction. This paper also proposes a model for gas-based electricity generation in India. It has been developed following an LCA approach. As far as we aware, this is the first study which proposes an LCA model for gas-based electricity generation in India. The model is developed in line with the LCA methodology and focusses on the impact categories specific for gas-based electricity generation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Bao-Rong Lu

Abstract Potential environmental impact caused by pollen-mediated transgene flow from commercially cultivated genetically engineered (GE) crops to their non-GE crop counterparts and to their wild and weedy relatives has aroused tremendous biosafety concerns worldwide. This chapter provides information on the concept and classification of gene flow, the framework of the environmental biosafety assessment caused by pollen-mediated gene flow, and relevant case studies about transgene flow and its environmental impact. In general, gene flow refers to the movement of genes or genetic materials from a plant population to other populations. Crop-to- crop transgene flow at a considerable frequency may result in transgene 'contamination' of non-GE crops, causing potential food/feed biosafety problems and regional or international trade disputes. Crop-to- wild/weedy transgene flow may bring about environmental impacts, such as creating more invasive weeds, threatening local populations of wild relative species, or affecting genetic diversity of wild relatives, if the incorporated transgene can normally express in the recipient wild/weedy plants and significantly alter the fitness of the wild/weedy plants and populations. It is therefore necessary to establish a proper protocol to assess the potential environmental impacts caused by transgene flow. Three steps are important for assessing potential environment impacts of transgene flow to wild/weedy relatives: (i) to accurately measure the frequencies of transgene flow: (ii) to determine the expression level of a transgene incorporated in wild/weedy populations; and (iii) to estimate the fitness effect (benefit or cost) conferred by expression of a transgene in wild/weedy populations. The recently reported case of non-random allele transmission into GE and non-GE hybrid lineages or experimental populations challenges the traditional method of estimating the fitness effect for the assessment of environmental impacts of transgene flow. Furthermore, case studies of transgenic mitigation (TM) strategies illustrate ways that may reduce the impacts of a transgene on wild/weedy populations if crop-to- wild/weedy transgene flow is not preventable, such as in the case of gene flow from crop rice to its co-occurring weedy rice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-23

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Tanzanian hotels are, like much of the global hospitality industry, facing significant pressures due to market volatility and environmental impacts. As such, these hotels need to adopt innovation strategies in order to enhance economic sustainability. Originality The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara González-García ◽  
Staffan Berg ◽  
Gumersindo Feijoo ◽  
Ma Teresa Moreira

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Quaranta ◽  
Juan I. Pérez-Díaz ◽  
Pedro Romero–Gomez ◽  
Alberto Pistocchi

Environmentally enhanced turbines (EETs) have gained attention in the past two decades in order to reduce environmental impacts of hydropower plants on fish communities and on water quality. In this mini-review the main EETs are discussed, focusing on the Alden and Minimum Gap Runner turbines to reduce fish injury and on self-aerating and self/free-lubricant turbines to improve water quality. The review shows that EETs can be efficiently adopted instead of traditional turbines: EETs are cost-effective, efficient in terms of energy generation and have shown to reduce environmental impacts. Scientific gaps are also highlighted and case studies reported to better support refurbishment and new projects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Selena Candia ◽  
Francesca Pirlone

The collapse of tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many destinations to rethink their economic model, by focusing on sustainability and innovation. Advances in tourism impact assessment can not only improve tourism products and services, but also guide the sector towards responsible choices for the post-COVID era. The paper proposes a new way to assess tourism products using the Life Cycle Assessment—LCA methodology. Thanks to this method the authors quantify the environmental impacts of tourism choices and propose alternative green solutions. Innovation is therefore aimed at promoting a new awareness to support sustainable tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the impacts have been quantified, local governments can make decisions in their plans to promote the most sustainable solutions. The application of the methodology to a typical case study for the Mediterranean area—Cinque Terre National Park in the Liguria Region (Italy)—further helps administrations to transfer and replicate the authors’ proposal. The proposed methodology is applied taking into account several priority issues for host territories such as the activities carried out by tourists, tourism mobility, and accommodation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11682
Author(s):  
Martin Nwodo ◽  
Chimay Anumba

The relevance of exergy to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of buildings has been studied regarding its potential to solve certain challenges in LCA, such as the characterization and valuation, accuracy of resource use, and interpretation and comparison of results. However, this potential has not been properly investigated using case studies. This study develops an exergy-based LCA method and applies it to three case-study buildings to explore its benefits. The results provide evidence that the theoretical benefits of exergy-based LCA as against a conventional LCA can be achieved. These include characterization and valuation benefits, accuracy, and enabling the comparison of environmental impacts. With the results of the exergy-based LCA method in standard metrics, there is now a mechanism for the competitive benchmarking of building sustainability assessments. It is concluded that the exergy-based life cycle assessment method has the potential to solve the characterization and valuation problems in the conventional life-cycle assessment of buildings, with local and global significance.


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