Life Cycle Assessment Research Research Articles

Life cycle assessment research and application in Nigeria

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is becoming increasingly popular in developing countries, however, challenges such as lack of local data, spatial and temporal differentiation of impact categories, and uncertainty in the data and impact assessment methods remain. In this comprehensive review, we systematically conduct a literature review of LCA research in Nigeria, including a thorough assessment of the LCA studies according to ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. Methods A total of 30 peered reviewed and conference papers on LCA papers Nigeria as the study area of authors affiliated to institutions in the country were assessed. The assessment focused on functional unit, system boundary, data quality, allocation, impact assessment methods, database and LCA software used and interpretation methods. Results and discussion The results of the review showed that LCA is still in its infancy in Nigeria with 30 papers on the subject matter published between 2010–2023. These peer reviewed publications came from universities and research institutions, none from companies or government. In terms of the methodological choices, different functional units, system boundaries, impact assessment methods, allocation, data choices, databases and software were used. The Ecoinvent database is one of the most widely used for background data for potential environmental impacts while SimaPro and GaBi are the softwares of choice for most of the studies. Climate Change was the most assessed impact category at the midpoint level for life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). To ensure that uncertainties in LCA results are reduced, studies should ensure transparency in inventories, consider all the life cycle stages, use primary data and adapt local characterisation factors. Local impacts such as gas flaring, biodiversity, oil spills, soil erosion, and desertification should be the focus of LCA method developers in Nigeria as they are the prevailing environmental challenges affecting different parts of the country. Conclusions and recommendations Different methodological choices are used by researchers, they highlight a challenge that was noticeable in all the papers – a general lack of primary data. The studies are not equally distributed amongst the sectors of the economy. Most of them are concentrated in the agriculture, energy and transportation sectors. Based on our findings, the authors recommend the development of an LCI database for Nigeria and Nigeria-specific impact pathways, normalisation and weighting factors to enhance the reproducibility of the results. This study lays the foundation for the development of an integrated master plan for the development of LCA in Nigeria, with the potential to significantly contribute to improving environmental assessment and sustainable development.

Integrating life cycle assessment into supply chain optimization.

Integrating Supply Chain Optimization (SCO) with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is essential for creating supply chains that are both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable. While SCO focuses on optimizing network structures and decisions related to product and service delivery, LCA systematically assesses the environmental impacts across the entire supply chain. The existing literature treats SCO and LCA as separate, sequential steps, often leading to inconsistencies in scope and challenges in data transfer and rescaling. Our research presents a novel Supply Chain Life Cycle Optimization (SCLCO) model that integrates SCO and LCA. Our SCLCO model is based on LCA data structures, incorporates multi-time period, closed-loop SCO decisions (e.g. reverse chain management, inventory control, network design), and is capable of considering the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. It includes harmonizing principles, terminology, and notation, thereby bridging the gap between the SCO and LCA communities through a generalized formulation. Computational experiments on a selected SCO model from Operations Research literature validate the SCLCO and demonstrate its effectiveness in providing valuable insights to both SCO and LCA practitioners and researchers. The results emphasize that the simultaneous execution of SCO and LCA in SCLCO minimizes the risk of overlooking decision impacts and facilitates data transfer from existing LCA databases.

Innovative Technology for Secondary Fly Ash Full Resource Utilization: Industrial Testing and Life Cycle Assessment Research

Innovative Technology for Secondary Fly Ash Full Resource Utilization: Industrial Testing and Life Cycle Assessment Research

Exploring the relationship of building area and GHGe: a mitigation strategy?

Abstract Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) from new constructions must be reduced to address the climate change crisis. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely applied to document the environmental impacts of buildings, often reporting results by dividing the total emissions over the measured building area, such as the gross floor area. The appropriateness of this approach has been debated in the building LCA research community and the construction industry, with concerns about the potential consequence of designing larger buildings to reduce emissions over the buildings’ life cycle and if this entails easier compliance with limit values in regulations. With a large collection of 291 case studies divided into four weight categories, potential correlations between constructing larger areas and GHGe are explored by fitting linear models. The results show that theoretically, GHGe reported per area can be decreased due to increased building area. However, this requires significant increases in area, which realistically results in increased costs, resource use, and related environmental impacts, which is not feasible. Therefore, the findings do not support the notion that interpreting LCA results per square meter encourages the enlargement of buildings to reduce emissions over their life cycle. It should be noted that the study’s conclusions are drawn from the end results of individual LCAs. The potential decrease in GHGe by enlarging the building area during the design process is not possible to derive without involving stakeholders. Thus, this study underlines the need for future research to achieve a nuanced relationship between building size, design choices, and environmental impacts.

The PreDI matrix-a common terminology for offsite construction: definition, verification, and demonstration in environmental impact studies

Given the increasing interest in offsite construction and the prefabricated components it produces, this paper aims to establish a common matrix, the PreDI, for the offsite construction industry. The effort is to enhance the comparability of research and practices in offsite construction, making it more universally understood. Offsite construction involves manufacturing components in a factory and then assembling them on-site. It is considered a more sustainable approach due to less material usage, energy consumption, and waste generation during component fabrication. However, the lack of common terminology for offsite construction poses many challenges in the industry and its research, hindering communication and research.The Prefabricated Dimensions and Integrations (PreDI) matrix, developed in the study, provides a solution for industry and research use. Thus, industry and academia can utilize the PreDI widely, accurately, and precisely in communication. This paper demonstrates the PreDI matrix’s application in life cycle assessment research on offsite construction, showcasing its utility and setting the stage for more robust research analyses in the future. Using the PreDI matrix in 24 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon houses further highlights its potential in the industry. Finally, the paper concludes with a broader outlook on its impacts on offsite construction.

서비스 상품 전과정평가에 대한 계량서지학적 연구동향 분석

This study aims to analyze global research trends in the life cycle assessment (LCA) of service products. Using the Scopus database, we searched for LCA research published from 1970 to 2024 based on keywords, titles, and abstracts. A total of 23,970 records were obtained, of which 90.67% were published from 2010 to 2024, showing a significant increase across various fields during this period, with a CAGR of 13.6%. However, LCA research on service products was found to account for only 0.51% (122 records) of global LCA studies. Given the growing importance of the service industry and its environmental impact, it is evident that more active LCA research in the service sector is needed.

The Contribution of Biogas to the Electricity Supply Chain: An Italian Life Cycle Assessment Database

The transition towards energy efficiency measures and green energy sources is strongly fostered by the European Union. Italy is among the EU countries that have heavily invested in renewable energy sources, more than doubling their share in gross final energy consumption. In particular, biogas has a pivotal role in the generation of electricity and can also be upgraded into biomethane, with a higher and more stable energy content. In this study, the sustainability of the supply chain of electricity from biogas in Italy has been thoroughly analyzed in the broader framework of the ARCADIA (Life Cycle Approach in Public Procurement and Italian LCA Database for Resource Efficiency) project. The environmental assessment, carried out by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), provides a two-fold perspective. Firstly, it allows us to identify the main hotspots of the investigated system, such as the cultivation of dedicated crops, and to provide useful insights for improving environmental performance. Furthermore, a focus on the modeling of the dataset related to the production of electricity from biogas within the Italian electricity mix represents a step ahead in the LCA research, filling the lack of site-specific databases for reliable LCA results.

Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Diagnostic Imaging

The increasing focus on environmental sustainability is becoming essential in the diagnostic imaging sector, which is accredited for about 10% of the healthcare industry’s carbon footprint. A multitude of research initiatives investigated the environmental impacts of diagnostic imaging, encompassing factors like electricity consumption, carbon emissions, and waste generation from these procedures. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) stands as a prominent method for structural assessment of environmental impacts, offering a detailed framework for examining the environmental consequences of specific processes. The aim of this study includes analyzing existing LCA approaches in literature to identify their limitations and to suggest an elaborate framework for LCA application in diagnostic imaging.Out of 17 original articles on environmental sustainability in radiology published since 2014, but only a part, 29.4% (5/17), described an LCA approach. The different characteristics of these studies provide valuable insights, enabling the proposal of a more comprehensive LCA research methodology.The reviewed articles did not present a uniform research outcome. According to the GreenHouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard, the optimal outcome for assessing environmental impact is the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions. For a thorough methodological approach in LCA, it is essential to cover all direct and indirect emissions associated with diagnostic imaging. All studies (100%, 5/5) considered the electricity consumption of imaging equipment. Usage of consumables was included in 80% (4/5) of the studies. Only 40% (2/5) of articles considered auxiliary equipment like computers and contrast-medium injectors, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Factors like equipment manufacture, staff travel, and waste generation, though crucial to overall greenhouse gas emissions, were each covered in only 20% (1/5) of the studies. The articles also varied in their LCA versions, with two employing the detailed Cradle-to-Grave approach, while others used partial Cradle-to-Gate and Input-Output LCA methods.The insights from this analysis could lead to a valuable framework for a new LCA methodological approach in diagnostic imaging. This novel approach is designed to overcome the limitations observed in existing research, offering a more comprehensive analysis. By enhancing the LCA framework, it will be possible identify the phases in diagnostic imaging that have the most substantial environmental impact, allowing for the development of more targeted strategies to reduce GHG emissions associated with diagnostic procedures.

Uncovering the research tapestry: bibliometric insights into BIM and LCA – exploring trends, collaborations and future directions

Uncovering the research tapestry: bibliometric insights into BIM and LCA – exploring trends, collaborations and future directions

Assessing the environmental sustainability of consumer-centric poultry chain in the UK through life cycle approaches and the household simulation model

Chicken fillets, predominantly encased in disposable plastic packaging, represent a common perishable commodity frequently found in the shopping baskets of British consumers, with an annual slaughter exceeding 1.1 billion chickens. The associated environmental implications are of considerable significance. However, a noticeable gap exists concerning the household-level ramifications of chicken meat consumption, which remains a prominent driver (165 kg CO2eyr−1 per capita) of environmental impacts in the United Kingdom (UK). This study's primary objective is to integrate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology with insights derived from a spectrum of interventions simulated within the Household Simulation Model (HHSM). The interventions that are simulated are influenced by various consumer behaviours related to the purchase, consumption, storage and disposal of chicken fillets. The overarching aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental consequences associated with each intervention.The research encompasses eight distinct household archetypes and the UK average, with a focus on discerning differences in their environmental influence. The introduction of shelf-life extension measures leads to a reduction in the overall environmental impacts (in μPt), with reductions ranging from 1 % to 18 %. Concurrently, waste treatment's environmental burdens can be curtailed by 9 % to 69 % for the UK average. Of the 12 interventions tested, the intervention that combines a one-day extension in the shelf life of open packs and a three-day extension for unopened packs leads to the greatest reduction in environmental impacts, at 18 % for the entire process and 69 % for the waste treatment. This intervention is estimated to yield annual reductions of 130,722 t of CO2 emissions across the entire process and 34,720 t of CO2 emissions from waste treatment, as compared to the default scenario. These findings demonstrate the importance of integrating consumer behaviour, food waste, and packaging considerations within the domain of food LCA research.

Considering product life cycle characteristics and industry background in environmental impact analysis and application: a case study of a television.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely used to evaluate product's life cycle environmental impact and identify the environmental weaknesses. However, it is difficult for existing LCA software to perform flexible LCA analysis based on the product life cycle characteristics and industry background. Meanwhile, under the existing LCA research model, product designers and manufacturers are usually not LCA evaluators, resulting in a certain time gap between the evaluation results and product improvement. Designers with less experience in green design often find it difficult to identify high environmental impact links in products at different life cycle stages and product levels, and updated products are challenging to meet various environmental restrictions. This paper establishes a multi-module product life cycle analysis model that combines product industry background that includes basic information, assessment information, structural information, and restriction information to achieve the multi-scenario of product LCA in different dimensions in a typical domain. The calculated mechanism of the dynamic power emission factor is built according to the service time and space dimensions. The proposed method forms an integrated environmental performance evaluation of household appliance (EPEHA) system. A software assessment and an optimization method are proposed to improve the EPEHA system. The results of this study show that these proposed methods can improve the timeliness and diversity of results analysis of product LCA in the field of household appliances in China. The universal data exchange format and simple operation interface of the EPEHA system enable people related to the product to quickly understand the environmental impact of the product in different scenarios, even if they lack green design knowledge and professional software training.

Environmental Impacts of Rice Intensification Using High-Yielding Varieties: Evidence from Mazandaran, Iran

This article aims to show the potential contribution of high-yielding rice varieties to achieve sustainable intensification in paddy farming, by focusing on a developing country. A comparative life cycle assessment of traditional vs. high-yielding varieties is carried out by comparing the area-based and yield-based results. Primary data are collected through a farm survey (49 farms in the Mazandaran province, Iran; spring 2018). The results highlight that high-yielding varieties can reduce the yield-scaled impacts. However, area-scaled impacts are subject to increase for most impact categories. Statistically significant trade-offs involve global warming potential (+13% per ha and −28% per t in high-yielding varieties) and fossil resource depletion (+15% per ha and −26% per t in high-yielding varieties). Pesticide management is the most alarming practice. High-yielding varieties increase pesticide consumption and related toxicity impacts both per t and per ha. This study is a new contribution to the literature by improving and broadening the mainstream productivity perspective of current life cycle assessment research about crop varieties. The lessons learnt from this study suggest that the trade-offs between yield-scaled and area-scaled impacts should be carefully considered by decision-makers and policymakers, especially in developing countries that, like Iran, are affected by the overexploitation of natural resources. Targeted policy and the development of farmer education and advisory services are needed to create the enabling conditions for farm management changes, including conscious use of production inputs while avoiding heuristics.

Meta-Analysis of Life Cycle Assessment Studies for Polyethylene Terephthalate Water Bottle System

The life cycle assessment (LCA) serves as a crucial tool for assessing the environmental impact of products, with recent emphasis on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Our meta-analytical review of 14 LCA research papers (2010–2022) on PET bottles, aligned with PRISMA guidelines, spans six phases: raw material production (MP), bottle production (BP), distribution and transportation (DT), collection and transport (CT), waste management (WM), and environmental benefits (EB). Utilizing the global warming potential (GWP) as the indicator, our study harmonized data into a consistent functional unit, revealing an average emission of 5.1 kg CO2 equivalent per 1 kg of PET bottles. Major contributors to global warming were identified across the MP, BP, and DT phases. While the MP and BP phases exhibited low variability due to uniform processes, the CT, WM, and EB phases displayed higher variability due to scenario considerations. A comparison with Korean environmental product declaration data affirmed the methodology’s practical utility. Our approach offers potential applicability in diverse product category assessments, emphasizing its relevance for informed decision-making in sustainable product development.

Normalization factor database for life cycle impact assessment in China

Normalization is applied to calculate the magnitude of an impact relative to the total impact of a given reference in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Normalized profiles of environmental impacts depend on geographical areas due to differences in the industrial and economic activities. So far, Normalization factors for China are not developed to conduct life cycle assessment analysis. The purpose of this research is to propose a database of normalization factors (NFs) covering 18 environmental impact categories in a Chinese context to fill the research gap. To establish the local database, we collected the domestic inventory of emission and resources extraction in China with necessary data extrapolation and then calculated the normalization factors based on the international model ReCiPe2016. Furthermore, normalization factors for each impact category are differentiated into individual and national levels, and the substance contribution proportion of the 18 environmental impact categories is quantified. In addition, we used the Data Quality Indicator (DQI) model to evaluate the data source of impact categories, while analyzing the uncertainty of normalization factors quantitatively based on the evaluation result. The results of the quantitative analyses showed uncertainty intervals for the normalization factors. It was found that ionizing radiation and toxicity got the largest uncertainty intervals among the normalization factors for all impact categories, owing to the low completeness of the inventory of substances in those two impact categories. According to the data quality indicators of impact categories, we located the data gap in domestic inventory and proposed measures to promote comprehensiveness of inventory. This China Normalization Factors Database provides the LCA researchers with a starting point for a subsequent weighing step and improves the accuracy of LCA study at the Chinese territory.

Life Cycle Assessment of Rice Production in Muda Granary Area, Kedah Malaysia

Rice is a crucial part of everyday Malaysian diet. The demand for rice in year 2030 is projected to be around 533 million ton of milled rice and known to be a high-water consuming crop. It is mainly cultivated in Kedah of Malaysia under irrigated conditions. It is responsible for the environmental degradation due to inefficient use of factors of production, low yield as well as being grown under ponded conditions. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the environmental impacts of rice production in Muda Granary Area in Kedah using life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Data was collected from Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and one of rice milling’s factory in order to identify the environmental impacts with different phase of production. It was observed that different production practices and different levels of input consumption contributed to the different environmental impacts. The LCA considered the entire system required to produce 1 kg of rice. All impact assessment categories were considered and the sensitivity analysis was performed to test the cut-off criteria set for the chemical input by increasing the solvent input to 15% and including trace amounts of heavy metals. Results from ReCiPe impact assessment methods concur that the top impact categories are rice plantation compared to rice milling and land preparation phase. These include climate change, eutrophication, ecotoxicology, and water depletion. As a result, it is concluded that the fertilizers used were excessive and should be examined further. The study concludes that the greatest impacts of rice production in a Muda Granary area in Kedah are from rice planting phase. It is learnt that the quantity of fertilizers used were excessive and must be looked into. The results of the study will likely provide a good basis for future LCA research on paddy cultivation, especially in terms of nutrient management.

Predicting whole-life carbon emissions for buildings using different machine learning algorithms: A case study on typical residential properties in Cornwall, UK

Whole-life carbon emissions (WLCE) studies are critical in assessing the environmental impact of buildings and promoting sustainable design practices. However, existing methods for estimating WLCE are time-consuming and data-intensive, limiting their usefulness in the early building design stages. In response to this, this research introduces a novel approach by harnessing various machine learning algorithms to predict WLCE and WLCE intensity (normalised by floor area) for buildings. To evaluate the suitability of machine learning algorithms, we conducted an experiment involving ten algorithms to build the prediction models. These models were trained using data from 150 typical residential properties in Cornwall, UK, along with 28 features obtained from a comprehensive survey, including floor area, heating type, and occupant characteristics. The ten algorithms include Multiple Linear Regression, and non-linear algorithms such as Decision Tree, Random Forest. Performance evaluation metrics, such as coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), means squared error (MSE), root-mean-square error (RMSE), and elapsed time, were employed. Our research contributes to the field by showcasing the effectiveness of machine learning models in predicting building WLCE. We reveal that all the tested machine learning algorithms have the capability to predict WLCE and WLCE intensity, non-linear models outperform linear ones, and the Random Forest (RF) model demonstrates superior performance in terms of accuracy, stability, and efficiency. This research encourages the integration of life cycle studies into the early design stage, even within tight building design schedules, offering practical guidance to architects and designers. Furthermore, these results also benefit a wide range of stakeholders, not only the architects but also the engineers, policymakers, and life cycle assessment (LCA) researchers, contributing to the advancement of data-driven sustainability approaches within the building sector.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Solid Waste Management Systems in African Countries: A Systematic Review

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a vital tool for evaluating the environmental burden of solid waste. This study investigated the outcomes of selected studies that applied the LCA methodology in assessing the environmental consequences of solid waste management (SWM) systems in Africa. Thirteen process-based LCA studies on SWM were reviewed, drawing from established criteria in databases such as SCOPUS, Elsevier, and Google Scholar. These studies were distributed across various African countries, with three conducted in Mauritius and Nigeria each, two in Zimbabwe and South Africa each, and one in Tanzania, Ghana, and Uganda, respectively. The evaluated parameters included aspects such as goal and scope, functional unit, system boundary, impact assessment categories, and sensitivity analysis. The findings revealed that majority of the studies employed similar waste management scenarios to determine the most environment-friendly, yet they differed considerably in some parameters. Climate change and global warming were the most assessed impact categories. Municipal solid waste (MSW) and plastic waste were the leading waste categories. MSW typically comprises paper, bottles, metal, plastics, glass, organics, and mixed waste proportions. The study also stated that the lack of reliable data on solid waste was a significant challenge faced by African countries in LCA studies. The paper’s findings highlighted that a significant number of the studies, particularly in Nigeria, did not incorporate sensitivity analysis into their assessments, a crucial component for result interpretation. Consequently, the study emphasizes the importance of conducting more LCA research studies in African countries to produce pertinent data on SWM.

A thematic review on livestock manure treatment strategies focusing on thermochemical conversion.

Livestock manure (LSM) management is emerging as a challenge due to increasing livestock consumption. Owing to the decreased agricultural land area, it is necessary to ensure LSM utilization in non-agricultural fields. LSM can be a valuable resource if managed as a circulating resource. This study discusses research trends based on a literature review and classifies LSM treatments. The analysis of each treatment is presented according to research trends, and implications for the future LSM processing are discussed. "Biological treatment" accounted for the largest portion at 48%, "manure management," which suggests improvement in manure treatment through systematic thinking or LSM management practices, accounted for 16%, and "thermochemical conversion" accounted for 11%. In addition, "life cycle assessment (LCA) research," "solid-liquid separation approach," and "nutrient-recovery/losses" were derived. Studies on biological treatments are increasing. Although anaerobic digestion (AD) is the most used method, it has the disadvantages of long processing time and waste generation after processing. As a key supplement, thermochemical conversion (TCC) technology, which could overcome the disadvantages of AD, was reviewed.

A statistical analysis of life cycle assessment for buildings and buildings’ refurbishment research

This study aims to examine the literature related to environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for buildings and buildings' refurbishment from 1994 to 2022 by implementing a statistical analysis based on 'Web of Science' databases. LCA is viewed as a consolidated process that measures the environmental performance of buildings and their services, aiming to address the potential environmental impacts over the life cycle of buildings. A total of 1336 retrieved journal publications for LCA for buildings and 169 journal publications for LCA in building refurbishment. The articles' patterns were investigated in terms of subject categories, journals, countries, and the most highly cited articles. The findings reveal that LCA publications for buildings and building refurbishment have increased over the period 1994–2022, with China being the leading country contributing to the largest number of articles and possessing the most significant influence, followed by the USA for LCA in buildings. While Portugal is the leading country, followed by Italy, for LCA Buildings' Refurbishments. 97.08% of the publications were written in English, 2.04% in German, and 0.68% in Spanish. French and Japanese were the remaining languages, each with one publication, accounting for 0.2% of the 1336 building LCA publications. In contrast to refurbishment, LCA publications were written in only two languages, English (98.7%) and German (1.3%). Results show that the subject area differs depending on the type of LCA publication, with building LCA focusing on construction engineering while refurbishment focused on environmental topics. According to the IF, the most influential journal was renewable & sustainable energy for buildings and refurbishment LCA. However, journal distribution within LCA is still limited, and assessment methods and theme analysis still need to catch up with a clear gap in LCA in environmental impact mitigation and analysis methodologies, which will be a prominent direction of future building LCA research.

Air-conditioning life cycle assessment research: A review of the methodology, environmental impacts, and areas of future improvement

Air-conditioning life cycle assessment research: A review of the methodology, environmental impacts, and areas of future improvement