Tourism LCA: state-of-the-art and perspectives

Abstract

Records over the last decades indicate a high growth rate for tourism, making it one of the most important industries in the world economy. Since estimates outline a consolidation of this trend, an accurate identification and assessment of the environmental impacts related to the life cycle of tourist products is increasingly necessary. By reviewing and comparing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) case studies in the tourism sector, this paper aims to identify life cycle approaches that may be used as a basis for the subsequent development of sectorial Life Cycle Thinking guidelines. The following characterising elements were analysed for each case study reviewed, bearing in mind ISO 14044:2006 contents: goal, functional unit, system boundaries, inventory data quality and assessment methods of the environmental impacts. The few LCA implementations found in the literature vary considerably as regards the object studied and the methodological choices made. Specifically, the objects studied could be categorised as follows: accommodation services; buildings (hotel structures); tourist package holiday; the entire tourism industry. The main methodological choices made regard: system boundaries, data quality requirements and methods for assessing environmental impacts. A critical analysis of case studies revealed considerable dissimilarities as regards time reference and methodology application. Even though these differences made any comparison of results difficult, a few findings on methodological approaches might be outlined. Because the goal and scope definition profoundly affects LCA results, particular emphasis has been given to objectives and system boundaries. The low number of studies found in the literature could indicate either that there are significant obstacles to adopting this approach or the limited awareness of LCA in tourism’s drivers. The main obstacles might be: the complicated nature of the tourism system; the lack of specific LCA databases for tourism and related sectors; the tourism industry's low consideration of the environmental impact categories that are generally taken into account in impact assessment methodologies. In order to promote the applicability and dissemination of LCA within the tourism sector, a number of methodological approaches and guidelines should be developed further. Moreover, it might be necessary to look into the possibility of integrating LCA with other instruments, such as environmental support tools for assessment, management, and design, as well as communication and marketing. Further synergies should be investigated regarding environmental instruments for passenger transportation, and specific tools that focus on the economic and social aspects of sustainability.