Life Cycle Assessment of Forest-Based Products: A Review

Climate change, environmental degradation, and limited resources are motivations for sustainable forest management. Forests, the most abundant renewable resource on earth, used to make a wide variety of forest-based products for human consumption. To provide a scientific measure of a product’s sustainability and environmental performance, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used. This article provides a comprehensive review of environmental performances of forest-based products including traditional building products, emerging (mass-timber) building products and nanomaterials using attributional LCA. Across the supply chain, the product manufacturing life-cycle stage tends to have the largest environmental impacts. However, forest management activities and logistics tend to have the greatest economic impact. In addition, environmental trade-offs exist when regulating emissions as indicated by the latest traditional wood building product LCAs. Interpretation of these LCA results can guide new product development using biomaterials, future (mass) building systems and policy-making on mitigating climate change. Key challenges include handling of uncertainties in the supply chain and complex interactions of environment, material conversion, resource use for product production and quantifying the emissions released.

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Water, land and climate nexus of electricity from biomass

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10330 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nariê Souza ◽

Thayse Hernandes ◽

Karina M. B. Bruno ◽

Daniele S. Henzler ◽

Otávio Cavalett

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Climate Change Mitigation ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Renewable Energy Systems ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Change Mitigation

<p>Driven by the expected population growth, the world faces now the challenge of meeting energy demands of about 9 billion people on the next decades and avoid dangerous climate change effects. In this context, Renewable Energy Systems (RES) are a key strategy to decarbonize the power sector and contribute to the climate change mitigation targets. In the Special Report on Climate Change and Land, IPCC calls attention to possible trade-offs, adverse side-effects and implications to sustainable development that the large-scale deployment of bioenergy may cause. A comprehensive understanding of the sustainability profile along the entire life-cycle of electricity production is fundamental if we want to realize the transition to cleaner technologies in the energy sector. In this study we analyze the water, land and climate impacts of electricity production systems in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We focus our analysis in the electricity production from sugarcane straw in Brazil, since there is a great opportunity for better using this lignocellulosic material for bioenergy applications. We relate appropriate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicators to multiple SDGs, considering attainable and potential sugarcane yields, derived from agroclimatic modeling. When discussing the sustainability of bioenergy production, a broader sustainability analysis, as provided by the SDGs, can help to identify water, land and climate nexus and suggest possible technological solutions for minimizing possible trade-offs among the different impacts. Our analysis demonstrates the nexus implications of electricity production from sugarcane biomass to the context of the SDGs, as well as the spatially explicit environmental implications of electricity production form sugarcane biomass.</p><p>Keywords: renewable energy systems, life cycle assessment, climate change mitigation, sustainable development</p>

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Barriers to enhanced and integrated climate change adaptation and mitigation in Canadian forest management

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2017-0252 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (12) ◽

pp. 1567-1576 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Tim B. Williamson ◽

Harry W. Nelson

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Management Policy ◽

Implementation Barriers ◽

Carbon Cycles ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Existing Frames ◽

Adaptation And Mitigation

Forests are sensitive to the effects of climate change and play a significant role in carbon cycles. This duality has important implications for forest management in terms of requirements for enhanced and integrated adaptation and mitigation interventions. Two ideal conceptual level changes could provide the means for implementation. First, the incorporation of climate change considerations into definitions of sustainable forest management (SFM) would provide mandates for enhanced approaches. Second, the mainstreaming of enhanced SFM would facilitate implementation. There are, however, factors that may impede implementation. Identifying and evaluating these factors informs our understanding of requirements for adaptation and mitigation mainstreaming. This study reviews, organizes, and interprets the literature for the purposes of identifying and evaluating potential impediments. Harmonization barriers pertain to differences between adaptation and mitigation in pre-existing frames and beliefs. Enabling barriers are psychological and institutional in nature. Implementation barriers include capacity deficits (e.g., funding limits, science and knowledge deficits regarding benefits, trade-offs, and synergies between adaptation and mitigation) and governance issues. Barriers are interrelated, dynamic, and subjective. Addressing barriers requires a holistic approach that recognizes the complex and dynamic nature of forest management policy change processes.

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Green Supply Chain Management with Life Cycle Assessment Approach for Degraded Forest Management: A Strategic-Fit Framework

Technium Social Sciences Journal ◽

10.47577/tssj.v10i1.1330 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 436-447

Author(s):

Liza Argarini Wiryawan ◽

Ahmad Hidayat Sutawidjaya

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Forest Management ◽

Forest Products ◽

Green Supply Chain Management ◽

Green Supply Chain ◽

Degraded Forest ◽

Chain Management ◽

Strategic Fit

Unsustainable forest management is considered as one of activities that leads to forest degradation. Together with deforestation, degraded forests are contributors to the greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry sector, so it needs to be controlled. Furthermore, degradation affects the forest’s productivity, and thus will affect the performance of the company which owns the licence for the utilization of its timber forest products. The objective of this research was to be able to identify aspects in Green Supply Chain Management and Life Cycle Assessment which are considered the most relevant to be applied in the management of degraded forest, and further to be structured in form of framework. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach with a case study PT XYZ as the holder of a Business License for the Utilization of Timber Forest Products in Natural Forest, in East Kalimantan. Research data obtained through literature studies, field observations, and interviews with key personnel in the company. Data is then analyzed through reduction and concluded. The results showed that internal supply chain activities, namely forest planning, forest development, log production, and marketing, play a significant role in the process of greening the supply chain. The proposed GSCM-LCA Framework includes Green Planning, Green Operations, Green Distributions, and Green Marketing with LCA observations focusing on evaluating and analysing environmental impacts caused by their harvesting and transportation activities. The design of the framework in this study emphasizes strategic-fit, as an effort to adjust the company resources and abilities towards the opportunities in the external environment.

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BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE-REGULATING FUNCTIONS OF FORESTS: CURRENT ISSUES AND RESEARCH PROSPECTS

Forest science issues ◽

10.31509/2658-607x-202141k-60 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 1-60

Author(s):

N.V. Lukina ◽

◽

A.P. Geraskina ◽

A.V. Gornov ◽

N.E. Shevchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Global Climate ◽

Structural Diversity ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Trade Offs ◽

The Impact

The problem of assessing the impact of biodiversity on the climate-regulating functions of forests is fundamental. It is of great applied importance for sustainable forest management in the context of global climate change. On the one hand, climate change affects biodiversity; on the other hand, biodiversity underlies the mechanisms of adaptation of forests and society to these changes, because it is a provider of all ecosystem functions. This article aims to discuss scientific issues currently faced by scientists, such as the relationships between biodiversity and climate-regulating functions of forests, and to outline the perspective of the studies. There are numerous studies that describe the influence of certain plant and animal species – ecosystem engineers – on the ecosystem, including climate-regulating functions of forests. However, we lack estimates of the combined effect of the diversity of biota of different trophic levels and groups on the completeness of the implementation of climate-regulating functions of forests of different types/at different succession stages. We emphasise the importance of accounting for such estimates as taxonomic, including genetic, and the functional and structural diversity of forests. We considered various concepts of forest management, taking into account the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. The most important aspect of this problem is estimates and forecasts of interrelationships (trade-offs and synergies) between climate-regulating and other ecosystem functions of forests characterised by different levels of biodiversity, with their natural development and with the combined impact of various natural and anthropogenic factors on forests, including climate change, fires, and forest management regimes. Integration of mathematical models is a promising approach to assess and predict the dynamics of relationships between various ecosystem functions of forests.

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Biodiversity and climate regulating functions of forests: current issues and prospects for research

10.31509/2658-607x-2020-3-4-1-90 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 1-90

Author(s):

N.V. Lukina ◽

◽

A.P. Geraskina ◽

A.V. Gornov ◽

N.E. Shevchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Management ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Global Climate ◽

Structural Diversity ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Trade Offs ◽

The Impact

The problem of assessing the impact of biodiversity on the climate-regulating functions of forests has fundamental character and great importance for sustainable forest management in the context of global climate change. On the one hand, climate changes affect biodiversity, on the other hand, it is biodiversity, as a provider of all ecosystem functions, underlies the mechanisms of adaptation to these changes. This paper aims to discuss scientific questions about the links between biodiversity and climate-regulating functions of forests, and to outline the prospects for these studies. It is shown that studies of the influence of plant and animal species – ecosystem engineers on forest ecosystem’s functioning, including climate-regulating processes and functions, are quite numerous. However, studies of the combined effects of the diversity of biota belonging to different trophic levels and groups on climate-regulating functions of forests of different types/different stages of succession are not carried out. In such studies, it is important to take into account both taxonomic, including genetic, and functional biodiversity as well as structural diversity of forests. Various concepts of forest management taking into account the conservation and restoration of biodiversity are considered. An important aspect of this problem is the assessment and prediction of relationships (synergy or trade-offs) between climate-regulating and other ecosystem functions of forests with different levels of biodiversity functioning in natural conditions and under the combined impact of natural and anthropogenic factors, including climate change, fires, and forestry regimes. It is shown that a promising approach to assessing and predicting the dynamics of relationships between different ecosystem functions of forests is the integration of mathematical models.

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A life cycle assessment of the environmental impacts of cattle feedlot finishing rations

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment ◽

10.1007/s11367-021-01957-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha J. Werth ◽

Alice S. Rocha ◽

James W. Oltjen ◽

Ermias Kebreab ◽

Frank M. Mitloehner

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Climate Change Impact ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Beef Production ◽

Process Data ◽

Feed Production ◽

Change Impact

Abstract Purpose A life cycle assessment was performed for the production of a total mixed ration (TMR) fed to finishing feedlot cattle in California, USA. The goal was to determine the climate change impact of the feed supply chain associated with the production of 1 kg finishing TMR (kg CO2e/kg TMR). A secondary goal was to compare the climate change impact of feed versus finished beef (kg CO2e/kg live weight). Methods The TMR was based on feeds commonly fed to finishing cattle in California. The Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance Partnership (LEAP) guidelines were followed for inventory data collection. System boundaries included the production of crops and feed additives, transportation of TMR components, and compound feed production. Data were sourced from national databases and Ecoinvent™ unit process data. Three scenarios were assessed as a result of allocation at the transportation step: Scenario A (100% empty return load); Scenario B (50% empty return load): and Scenario C (0% empty return load). Energy, mass, and economic allocation, and system expansion of dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) were assessed for sensitivity analysis. Total feedlot emission data from Stackhouse-Lawson et al. (2012) were used to compare to impacts of TMR production. Results Total emissions were determined to be 0.630 kg CO2e/kg TMR for Scenario A, 0.576 kg CO2e/kg TMR for Scenario B, and 0.521 kg CO2e/kg TMR for Scenario C. Corn production, transportation, and liquid premix production were primary contributors to the life cycle impacts of TMR production. Mass-based allocation of DDGS was found to have the most significant effect on overall impacts of the finishing TMR, with a 42% increase in life cycle emissions compared to other allocation methods. For Scenario A, feed used in Angus feedlot production contributed to 76% of total Angus feedlot emissions. Additionally, feed used in Holstein feedlot production contributed to 58% of total Holstein feedlot emissions. Conclusions and recommendations The present study demonstrates a need to better assess the feed supply chain of feedlot beef production in order to accurately identify areas that have the most significant impacts on overall emissions. This may aid in minimizing impacts associated with feed production and, by extension, beef production. The present study may also serve to inform future decisions for improvements or alterations of the LEAP guidelines.

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Economic and life-cycle assessment of OME3-5 as transport fuel: A comparison of production pathways

Sustainable Energy & Fuels ◽

10.1039/d1se00335f ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Felipe Rodriguez-Vallejo ◽

Antonio Valente ◽

Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez ◽

Benoit Chachuat

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Transport Sector ◽

Renewable Fuels ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers

Reducing the contribution of the transport sector to climate change calls for a transition towards renewable fuels. Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEn) constitute a promising alternative to fossil-based diesel. This article...

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The evolution of life cycle assessment in European policies over three decades

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment ◽

10.1007/s11367-021-01893-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Serenella Sala ◽

Andrea Martino Amadei ◽

Antoine Beylot ◽

Fulvio Ardente

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Decision Support ◽

General Concept ◽

Life Cycle Thinking ◽

Environmental Footprint ◽

Science And Policy ◽

Policy Domain ◽

Trade Offs ◽

The Eu

Abstract Purpose Life cycle thinking (LCT) and life cycle assessment (LCA) are increasingly considered pivotal concept and method for supporting sustainable transitions. LCA plays a relevant role in decision support, for the ambition of a holistic coverage of environmental dimensions and for the identification of hotspots, possible trade-offs, and burden shifting among life cycle stages or impact categories. These features are also relevant when the decision support is needed in policy domain. With a focus on EU policies, the present study explores the evolution and implementation of life cycle concepts and approaches over three decades. Methods Adopting an historical perspective, a review of current European Union (EU) legal acts and communications explicitly mentioning LCT, LCA, life cycle costing (LCC), and environmental footprint (the European Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint PEF/OEF) is performed, considering the timeframe from 1990 to 2020. The documents are categorised by year and according to their types (e.g. regulations, directives, communications) and based on the covered sectors (e.g. waste, energy, buildings). Documents for which life cycle concepts and approaches had a crucial role are identified, and a shortlist of these legal acts and communications is derived. Results and discussion Over the years, LCT and life cycle approaches have been increasingly mentioned in policy. From the Ecolabel Regulation of 1992, to the Green Deal in 2019, life cycle considerations are of particular interest in the EU. The present work analysed a total of 159 policies and 167 communications. While in some sectors (e.g. products, vehicles, and waste) life cycle concepts and approaches have been adopted with higher levels of prescriptiveness, implementation in other sectors (e.g. food and agriculture) is only at a preliminary stage. Moreover, life cycle (especially LCT) is frequently addressed and cited only as a general concept and in a rather generic manner. Additionally, more stringent and rigorous methods (LCA, PEF/OEF) are commonly cited only in view of future policy developments, even if a more mature interest in lifecycle is evident in recent policies. Conclusion The EU has been a frontrunner in the implementation of LCT/LCA in policies. However, despite a growing trend in this implementation, the development of new stringent and mandatory requirements related to life cycle is still relatively limited. In fact, there are still issues to be solved in the interface between science and policy making (such as verification and market surveillance) to ensure a wider implementation of LCT and LCA.

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Life cycle assessment of a leather shoe supply chain

International Journal of Sustainable Engineering ◽

10.1080/19397038.2021.1920643 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Marta Rossi ◽

Alessandra Papetti ◽

Marco Marconi ◽

Michele Germani

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Life Cycle

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A multi-purpose National Forest Inventory in Bangladesh: design, operationalisation and key results

Forest Ecosystems ◽

10.1186/s40663-021-00284-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matieu Henry ◽

Zaheer Iqbal ◽

Kristofer Johnson ◽

Mariam Akhter ◽

Liam Costello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Management ◽

Data Collection ◽

Land Cover ◽

Forest Inventory ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

National Forest Inventory ◽

Forest Resources ◽

National Forest ◽

Land Cover Map

Abstract Background National forest inventory and forest monitoring systems are more important than ever considering continued global degradation of trees and forests. These systems are especially important in a country like Bangladesh, which is characterised by a large population density, climate change vulnerability and dependence on natural resources. With the aim of supporting the Government’s actions towards sustainable forest management through reliable information, the Bangladesh Forest Inventory (BFI) was designed and implemented through three components: biophysical inventory, socio-economic survey and remote sensing-based land cover mapping. This article documents the approach undertaken by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to establish the BFI as a multipurpose, efficient, accurate and replicable national forest assessment. The design, operationalization and some key results of the process are presented. Methods The BFI takes advantage of the latest and most well-accepted technological and methodological approaches. Importantly, it was designed through a collaborative process which drew from the experience and knowledge of multiple national and international entities. Overall, 1781 field plots were visited, 6400 households were surveyed, and a national land cover map for the year 2015 was produced. Innovative technological enhancements include a semi-automated segmentation approach for developing the wall-to-wall land cover map, an object-based national land characterisation system, consistent estimates between sample-based and mapped land cover areas, use of mobile apps for tree species identification and data collection, and use of differential global positioning system for referencing plot centres. Results Seven criteria, and multiple associated indicators, were developed for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management goals, informing management decisions, and national and international reporting needs. A wide range of biophysical and socioeconomic data were collected, and in some cases integrated, for estimating the indicators. Conclusions The BFI is a new information source tool for helping guide Bangladesh towards a sustainable future. Reliable information on the status of tree and forest resources, as well as land use, empowers evidence-based decision making across multiple stakeholders and at different levels for protecting natural resources. The integrated socio-economic data collected provides information about the interactions between people and their tree and forest resources, and the valuation of ecosystem services. The BFI is designed to be a permanent assessment of these resources, and future data collection will enable monitoring of trends against the current baseline. However, additional institutional support as well as continuation of collaboration among national partners is crucial for sustaining the BFI process in future.

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