Life cycle assessment of pollutants and emission reduction strategies based on the energy structure of the nonferrous metal industry in China

Abstract

China is the largest producer and consumer of nonferrous metals in the world. China's consumption has posed a severe challenge to " peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality " and “ecological civilization construction” goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Therefore, this article selects the five most typical nonferrous metal industries and analyses the energy structure through life cycle inventory (“LCI”). Then, this article uses the life cycle assessment (“LCA”) to characterize, standardize, and weigh the environmental effects of the nonferrous metal industry. The contribution of the characteristic value is mainly from high-energy-consuming processes such as electrolysis and smelting. High-energy-consuming proportions are approximately 80% and 10%, respectively. Of the results of the standardized and weighted models, the most important environmental impact is “global warming”. Based on the LCA results, we propose energy-saving and emission reduction methods. The LCA model would support decisions aimed at achieving the “peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality” and “reducing pollution and carbon and coordinating governance strategic plan”. If these countermeasures are effectively implemented, the emission reduction effect of environmental pollution will reach 87.94%–99.12%. According to the economic evaluation, implementing an emission reduction measure could create an economic value of RMB 1.35 × 1013 per year.