Applying LCA to Estimate Development Energy Needs: The Cases of India and Brazil

Narasimha D. Rao,Alessio Mastrucci,Jihoon Min

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_44

Narasimha D. Rao, Alessio Mastrucci + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66981-6_44

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Abstract

This paper illustrates the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) methods to link human wellbeing to resource consumption. Based on a previously developed framework of the material requirements for human well-being, we use LCA and Input-Output (I/O) analysis, as appropriate, to estimate the life-cycle energy needed to meet the gap in living standards in two emerging economies, India and Brazil. We illustrate the relative contribution of different living standards components to energy requirements, as well as the uncertainty and trade-offs between upfront and long-term operating energy costs, and how these factors differ in the two countries. This analysis provides insights on how LCA analysis can be used to inform energy planning and its links to development goals.

Highlights

There is much potential for life cycle assessment (LCA) to inform public policy beyond its traditional use to address environmental objectives [1]
We make three contributions in this regard: (a) we illustrate the relative contributions of living standard components to the estimation of energy requirements for a decent living standards (DLS); (b) we show how uncertainty can be systematically quantified and attributed to these choices; and (c) we show the trade-offs in construction and operating energy inherent in these choices
This paper illustrated the use of LCA methods to link human wellbeing to resource consumption

Summary

Introduction

There is much potential for life cycle assessment (LCA) to inform public policy beyond its traditional use to address environmental objectives [1]. This paper illustrates how LCA can be used to inform development and energy policies related to improving living standards in emerging economies. Our motivation is that technology, material and design choices in the build-up of infrastructure can present important trade-offs between short-term (construction) and long-term (operating) energy needs, as well as different net energy requirements. These differences matter in emerging economies such as India and Brazil that expect high future economic growth and significant infrastructure investments. Almost a quarter of the building stock (*50 million units), requires upgrading [3], not counting population growth and future migration to urban areas

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