Biodiesel and fossil diesel fuel: Comparative life cycle assessment

Abstract

Complementary to VITO’s demonstration project on the use of biodiesel as engine fuel (including on the road emission measurements), a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) has been performed for rapeseed methyl ester (RME) and fossil diesel fuel. The LCA study covers: (1) a description of the LCA methodology used; (2) an inventory of the consumption of energy and materials and the discharges to the environment for both alternative fuels; and (3) a comparative impact assessment. The LCA inventoried all environmental impacts (resource consumption, emissions, waste) from cradle to grave. After the classification of these burdens into environmental impact categories, the environmental profiles of the two automotive fuels have been compared. Moreover, sensitivity analyses on the most important parameters have been carried out (e.g. type of fertiliser, data source, allocation method). The results of this comparative LCA can be used in the final decision-making process including the results of a social and economical assessment.