Using Pareto Optimization to Support Supply Chain Network Design within Environmental Footprint Impact Assessment

Tsai Kuo,Yile Lee

doi:10.3390/su11020452

Abstract

A product environmental footprint is a multi-criteria measure for environmental sustainability. Most of these environmental criteria are either synergies (non-trade-offs) or compromises (trade-offs) within environmental metrics. This forms a multi-objective problem of supply chain network design. The product environmental footprint is an aid or tool that enterprises may use to measure and improve the life cycle environmental performance of their products. In this research, a multi-criteria method, Pareto optimization, is used to design a supply chain network based on the results of a product environmental footprint. In Pareto optimization, two objectives are formulated: Environmental impact and cost. Using the results of this research, designers will be able to choose a material with a lower environmental impact and supply chain managers will be able to select suppliers with lower environmental impacts. A case study of industry practice is also analyzed. It shows an environmental footprint is useful for the supply chain design network.

Highlights

Several environmental footprints have been developed for enterprises to use in measuring aspects of environmental performance, such as the carbon footprint (CF) (ISO 14067: 2018) and water footprint (WF) (ISO 14046: 2014)
Based on the product environment guide [11], the Product environmental footprints (PEFs) was initiated with the aim of developing a harmonized European methodology for environmental footprint (EF) studies that can accommodate a broader suite of relevant environmental performance criteria using a life-cycle approach
The environmental impacts are calculated based on International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) 2011 midpoint method in Simapro software

Summary

Introduction

Several environmental footprints have been developed for enterprises to use in measuring aspects of environmental performance, such as the carbon footprint (CF) (ISO 14067: 2018) and water footprint (WF) (ISO 14046: 2014). Based on the product environment guide [11], the PEF was initiated with the aim of developing a harmonized European methodology for environmental footprint (EF) studies that can accommodate a broader suite of relevant environmental performance criteria using a life-cycle approach This methodology considers ISO standards: ISO 14044 [12], ISO/DIS 14067 [13], ISO 14025 [14], ISO 14020 [15], greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol, the specification for assessment of the life cycle GHG emissions of goods and services [16], and the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) handbook [17], among others

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion