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Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Nature-Based Solutions: Learnings, Methodological Challenges, and Perspectives from a Critical Analysis of the Literature

The use of life cycle assessment (LCA) allows work to go beyond the traditional scope of urban nature-based solutions (NBS), in which ecosystem services are provided to citizens, to include environmental impacts generated over the entire life cycle of the NBS, i.e., from raw material extraction, through materials processing, production, distribution, and use stages, to end-of-life management. In this work, we explored how LCA has been applied in the context of NBS through a critical analysis of the literature. Systems under review were not restricted to one typology of NBS or another, but were meant to cover a broad range of NBS, from NBS on the ground, water-related NBS, building NBS, to NBS strategies. In total, 130 LCA studies of NBS were analysed according to several criteria derived from the LCA methodology or from specific challenges associated with NBS. Results show that studies were based on different scopes, resulting in the selection of different functional units and system boundaries. Accordingly, we propose an innovative approach based on the ecosystem services (ES) concept to classify and quantify these functional units. We also identify and discuss two recent and promising approaches to solve multifunctionality that could be adapted for LCA of NBS.

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Open Access
Using Organigraphs to Map Disaster Risk Management Governance in the Field of Cultural Heritage

Global cultural heritage is threatened by the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters caused by climate change. International experts emphasise the importance of managing cultural heritage sustainably as part of a paradigm shift in cultural heritage perception, understanding, and management. This paradigm shift has stimulated a need to integrate cultural heritage into pre-existing disaster risk management governance. However, there is currently a lack of robust and practical approaches to map the complex nature of disaster risk management governance. It is here considered that a shared understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of the different organisations involved in risk management is a critical element in improving the preparedness of cultural heritage sites. The purpose of this article is to present the utility of the Organigraph technique and its main components as a tool to map governance structures, identify key stakeholders, and integrate cultural heritage experts into wider disaster risk management. The article presents a semi-empirical research approach, consisting of four iterative phases in which a series of digital workshops, semi-structured meetings, and bilateral expert meetings were used to co-produce five Organigraphs for heritage sites participating in an ongoing European Project. Our findings suggest that Organigraphs provide a valuable tool at the disposal of practitioners and academics with the potential to provide a basis for cross-national, cross-issue, and cross-scale peer learning between heritage sites. Furthermore, the technique is a valuable self-diagnostic tool to facilitate learning and proactive discussions in the preparedness phase of disaster risk management. Finally, they facilitate the co-creation of solutions through an evolving, interactive platform to integrate data-driven approaches.

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Open Access
Prospective evaluation of circular economy practices within plastic packaging value chain through optimization of life cycle impacts and circularity

The increasing demand for plastic products continues to result in a growing tonnage of plastic packaging waste with significant environmental consequences. Circular economy models are established to overcome the resource and environmental challenges caused by this increase. In the literature, the evaluation of how the plastic packaging value chain can be enhanced by circular economy practices remains underexplored. This paper aims to explore the impact of three circular economy models on the European plastic packaging value chain, covering circular economy strategies:, (i) promoting cross-sectoral valorization of plastic wastes through IS, (ii) improvement in recycling efficiency of wastes within the plastics sector, and (iii) introduction of a new bio-based biodegradable plastic product. Three linear single-objective optimization models were developed for maximization of environmental benefits and circularity, to assess how European plastics wastes supply chains could be made more circular by 2025. The results show that if better upcycling options including industrial symbiosis can be identified and established in the future, in addition to the composting as a viable End of Life option, plastic packaging value chain can create higher environmental benefits. Also, all circular economy strategies contribute to the improvement of circularity.

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