Rana Pant - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rana Pant

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2004

Goal, Scope and Background. The EU 5 th framework project OMNIITOX will develop models calculatin... more Goal, Scope and Background. The EU 5 th framework project OMNIITOX will develop models calculating characterisation factors for assessing the potential toxic impacts of chemicals within the framework of LCA. These models will become accessible through a web-based information system. The key objective of the OMNIITOX project is to increase the coverage of substances by such models. In order to reach this objective, simpler models which need less but available data, will have to be developed while maintaining scientific quality. Methods. Experience within the OMNIITOX project has taught that data availability and quality are crucial issues for calculating characterisation factors. Data availability determines whether calculating characterisation factors is possible at all, whereas data quality determines to what extent the resulting characterisation factors are reliable. Today, there is insufficient knowledge and/or resources to have high data availability as well as high data quality and high model quality at the same time. Results. The OMNIITOX project is developing two inter-related models in order to be able to provide LCA impact assessment characterisation factors for toxic releases for as broad a range of chemicals as possible: 1) A base model representing a state-of-the-art multimedia model and 2) a simple model derived from the base model using statistical tools. Discussion. A preliminary decision tree for using the OMN/ITOX information system (IS) is presented. The decision tree aims to illustrate how the OMNIITOX IS can assist an LCA practitioner in finding or deriving characterisation factors for use in life cycle impact assessment of toxic releases. Conclusions and Outlook. Data availability and quality are crucial issues when calculating characterisation factors for the toxicity impact categories. The OMNIITOX project is developing a tiered model approach for this. It is foreseen that a first version of the base model will be ready in late summer of 2004, whereas a first version of the simple base model is expected a few months later.

In the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14044 (ISO 2006), normalisation i... more In the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14044 (ISO 2006), normalisation is an optional step of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) which allows the practitioner expressing results after characterization using a common reference impact. This supports the comparison between alternatives using reference numerical scores. The normalisation factors express the total impact of a reference region for a certain impact category (e.g. climate change, eutrophication, etc.) in a reference year. This document provides the background methodology for building emission and resource inventories for calculating normalisation factors (NFs). The inventory is primarily based on extensive data collection at EU level. For missing flows, extrapolation strategies have been adopted and gap filling activities undertaken for their calculation. We present underpinning methodology for database population and we present and discuss possible source of outliers/ uncertainties

Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2014

This paper aims at analysing how secondary materials production and end of life recovery processe... more This paper aims at analysing how secondary materials production and end of life recovery processes are modelled in life cycle-based environmental assessment methods in order to discuss their suitability in product policy-support contexts, with a focus on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) policies. The equations prescribed in three published, widely recognised standards are evaluated. In addition, more recent modelling approaches that have been adopted in the context of two EU product policy initiatives (the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and the Resource Efficiency Assessment of Products (REAPro)) are similarly analysed. All of the methods are scrutinised against eight criteria which we deem to be important in product policy-support contexts, including comprehensiveness, accommodation of openloop and closed-loop product systems, and consideration of recyclability/recoverability rates, to name a few. Based on this analysis, it is suggested that the PEF and REAPro modelling approaches appear to be better suited for use in product policy-support contexts than do the currently widely endorsed methods that we considered.

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universität, Darmstadt, 2000.

Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are scientific approaches behind a grow... more Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are scientific approaches behind a growing number of environmental policies and business decision support in the context of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) / Sustainable Industrial Policy (SIP) (COM(2008) 397/3) and Resource Efficiency (COM(2011)0571). The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) provides a common basis for consistent, robust and quality-assured life cycle data, methods and assessments. This document supports the correct use of the characterisation factors of the LCIA methods recommended in the ILCD guidance document “Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context - based on existing environmental impact assessment models and factors” (EC-JRC, 2011). The characterisation factors are provided in a separate database as ILCD-formatted xml files and as Excel files. This document focuses on how to use the database and highlights existing limitations of the databa...

To date a proliferation of sustainability claims in architecture is noticed. The major focus is o... more To date a proliferation of sustainability claims in architecture is noticed. The major focus is on energy and related CO2 and on the use stage of buildings. Although energy during the building use stage is highly relevant, a more comprehensive life cycle approach is needed to support decision making in order not to overlook relevant environmental burdens such as respiratory effects and land use. This proliferation of sustainability claims is not only noticed in the building sector. Also in other sectors confusion in the market on how to measure the environmental performance has appeared due to this proliferation of claims. This can lead to unfair commercial practices and greenwashing. As a base for addressing the current confusion in the market, the Environmental Footprint was developed and has recently been adopted by the European Commission. This method provides specific guidance for comprehensive, robust and consistent environmental assessment of products and organisations. It is...

Environmental Science & Technology, 2015

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2015

ABSTRACT Purpose This paper presents a structured comparison of the European Commission (EC) Prod... more ABSTRACT Purpose This paper presents a structured comparison of the European Commission (EC) Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method with a number of existing European environmental accounting methods and standards that were taken into account during its development. In addition to the ISO 14040 and 14044 which represent the main reference, also the ISO/TS 14067, ILCD Handbook, PAS 2050, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Ecological Footprint and BPX 30-323-0 were considered. This comparison aims at evaluating the extent to which the EC PEF method contributes to filling the identified methodological gaps and, ultimately, the extent to which it meets a number of key principles for PEF studies: relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy and transparency. The EC PEF method has been developed by the Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) in close cooperation with the Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV). It aims at providing a European, common methodology for evaluating the environmental performance of products. Its use for undertaking product environmental footprint studies is supported by the 2013 Recommendation to the EC Communication “Building the single market for green products - Facilitating better information on the environmental performance of products and organisations.” Methods In this paper, the selected environmental accounting methods are compared against a set of nine identified core criteria for EF studies. These criteria include, e.g. applicability of results, boundary of the evaluation, requirements on data type and quality, requirements on uncertainty evaluation, requirements on reporting and review. Results from this comparison have been used to evaluate the extent to which the methods considered meet a number of key identified principles for EF studies: relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy and transparency. Results and discussion Overall, results of the analysis demonstrate that the EC PEF method resolves most shortcomings identified in the other methods with respect to the core comparison criteria. This, in turn, allows the EC PEF method to largely satisfy all of the key identified principles for PEF studies, and in particular the consistency principle, which is often not fulfilled by the other environmental accounting methods. Conclusions The EC PEF method provides for a greater degree of methodological consistency and establishes unambiguous requirements, hence facilitating increased consistency, comparability and reproducibility of results. It fills most of the shortcomings of the other methods, meeting virtually all of the key principles for PEF studies.

Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Management, 2011

Quality and consistency of life cycle based decision support are essential in public policy and b... more Quality and consistency of life cycle based decision support are essential in public policy and business context. Those can and should be supported by 'critical review' of underlying data and of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies themselves. A review assesses whether an LCA study or related data sets meet pre-defined requirements. A review can help avoiding errors, assuring that all options or method requirements have been appropriately taken into account, and last but not least increasing acceptance by stakeholders. Whilst requiring efforts, failing to perform a thorough review can cost significantly more than you initially save. The principle requirements for reviews are briefly addressed in the ISO 14040 series. While other LCA-based standards define some review requirements in more detail, information on how to conduct the review or what qualifications are required from reviewers is scarce. Therefore, more specific requirements and guidance on reviewing Life Cycle Inventory and Life Cycle Assessment studies are provided in the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook. Distinctions are made for the necessary level of review depending on the application context through a review scheme for 12 different cases. Differentiations are made with respect to the intended audience of the study, the complexity and broadness of the assessment, and the necessary type of stakeholder involvement. In result, two different review types were identified to meet the needs -each in a variant with and without stakeholder involvement. The scope of review ("what") and the method of review that shall be used to verify the fulfillment of the requirements ("how") are specified in the ILCD Handbook. For how to do the review, examples are provided, e.g. evidence collection by means of available documentation, cross-checks, verification and review of data source, calculations. More details will be provided in the document "Review scope, methods and documentation for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)" that currently is under development. Last but not least the review can be only as good as the reviewers. Therefore, the ILCD Handbook also provides requirements on the necessary qualifications of reviewers. In addition for the upcoming ILCD Data Network, initially somewhat reduced "entry-level" requirements have been defined. All these ILCD review requirements conform to the LCA-related ISO standards.

Sustainability, 2012

Environmental implications of the whole supply-chain of products, both goods and services, their ... more Environmental implications of the whole supply-chain of products, both goods and services, their use, and waste management, i.e.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014

Purpose The European Commission (EC) has developed a reference method for organisation environmen... more Purpose The European Commission (EC) has developed a reference method for organisation environmental footprinting (OEF) in support of improving the sustainability of production and consumption. This methodological development was guided by four core criteria. Specifically, it was deemed necessary that the method provides for a (1) multi-criteria, (2) life cycle-based approach that considers all organisational and related activities across the supply chain, (3) provides for reproducibility and comparability over flexibility, and (4) ensures physically realistic modelling. Methods Here, we review a subset of existing organisation environmental footprinting methods. We evaluate key areas of convergence (very limited!) and divergence between these methods, and the extent to which the methodological specifications they provide satisfy the four aforementioned criteria for the EC OEF method. On this basis, we specify where and why the EC OEF method necessarily diverges from and/or goes beyond the reviewed methods. Results and discussion We found little consistency between the reviewed methods, and few instances where our four criteria for the EC OEF method were satisfied. We specify the methodological norms for the EC OEF method for, among other things, definition of the unit of analysis (the organisation) and reference flow; organisation and analytical boundaries; cut-off criteria; impact categories and models; allocation solutions; and data quality. We further provide a rationale for each norm, in particular why they diverge from the various options presented in the reviewed methods.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2008

... However, in case overriding considerations let it seem to be appropriate to have a separate I... more ... However, in case overriding considerations let it seem to be appropriate to have a separate ISOstandardisation effort for GHG emissions from products and services, experts with the SETAC Europe LCA SC want to be constructively engaged and contribute to their development. ...

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2010

Introduction The European Commission is supporting the development of the International Reference... more Introduction The European Commission is supporting the development of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD). This consists primarily of the ILCD Handbook and the ILCD Data Network. This paper gives an insight into the scientific positions of business, governments, consultants, academics, and others that were expressed at this public consultation workshop. Workshop focus The workshop focused on four of the topics of the main guidance documents of the ILCD Handbook: (1) general guidance on life cycle assessment (LCA); (2) guidance for generic and average life cycle inventory (LCI) data sets; (3) requirements for environmental impact assessment methods, models and indicators for LCA; and (4) review schemes for LCA.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2011

ABSTRACT Introduction The amount of waste generated in Europe and, beyond, by our production and ... more ABSTRACT Introduction The amount of waste generated in Europe and, beyond, by our production and consumption patterns is significant. A proper waste management is essential in order to reduce detrimental environmental impacts. For the European Union, the general principles of good waste management are outlined in the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). This directive establishes a five-step hierarchy of waste management starting with the preferred option of waste prevention followed by preparing waste for reuse, recycling and other recovery with disposal (such as landfill) as the last resort. Methods The European Commission encourages the use of life cycle thinking (LCT) to complement the waste hierarchy for a more environmentally sound and factual support to decision-making in waste management. Results This has led to the development of a set of guidelines, tailored to the needs of different target audiences, which help apply LCT and quantitative tools such as life cycle assessment to waste management systems and strategies. The main aim of this paper is to present these guidelines, while also providing a structured overview on existing waste management criteria (e.g. the waste hierarchy), concepts and tools.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013

Background

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013

Purpose Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is a field of active development. The last decade has... more Purpose Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is a field of active development. The last decade has seen prolific publication of new impact assessment methods covering many different impact categories and providing characterization factors that often deviate from each other for the same substance and impact. The LCA standard ISO 14044 is rather general and unspecific in its requirements and offers little help to the LCA practitioner who needs to make a choice. With the aim to identify the best among existing characterization models and provide recommendations to the LCA practitioner, a study was performed for the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2004

Goal, Scope and Background. The EU 5 th framework project OMNIITOX will develop models calculatin... more Goal, Scope and Background. The EU 5 th framework project OMNIITOX will develop models calculating characterisation factors for assessing the potential toxic impacts of chemicals within the framework of LCA. These models will become accessible through a web-based information system. The key objective of the OMNIITOX project is to increase the coverage of substances by such models. In order to reach this objective, simpler models which need less but available data, will have to be developed while maintaining scientific quality. Methods. Experience within the OMNIITOX project has taught that data availability and quality are crucial issues for calculating characterisation factors. Data availability determines whether calculating characterisation factors is possible at all, whereas data quality determines to what extent the resulting characterisation factors are reliable. Today, there is insufficient knowledge and/or resources to have high data availability as well as high data quality and high model quality at the same time. Results. The OMNIITOX project is developing two inter-related models in order to be able to provide LCA impact assessment characterisation factors for toxic releases for as broad a range of chemicals as possible: 1) A base model representing a state-of-the-art multimedia model and 2) a simple model derived from the base model using statistical tools. Discussion. A preliminary decision tree for using the OMN/ITOX information system (IS) is presented. The decision tree aims to illustrate how the OMNIITOX IS can assist an LCA practitioner in finding or deriving characterisation factors for use in life cycle impact assessment of toxic releases. Conclusions and Outlook. Data availability and quality are crucial issues when calculating characterisation factors for the toxicity impact categories. The OMNIITOX project is developing a tiered model approach for this. It is foreseen that a first version of the base model will be ready in late summer of 2004, whereas a first version of the simple base model is expected a few months later.

In the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14044 (ISO 2006), normalisation i... more In the context of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14044 (ISO 2006), normalisation is an optional step of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) which allows the practitioner expressing results after characterization using a common reference impact. This supports the comparison between alternatives using reference numerical scores. The normalisation factors express the total impact of a reference region for a certain impact category (e.g. climate change, eutrophication, etc.) in a reference year. This document provides the background methodology for building emission and resource inventories for calculating normalisation factors (NFs). The inventory is primarily based on extensive data collection at EU level. For missing flows, extrapolation strategies have been adopted and gap filling activities undertaken for their calculation. We present underpinning methodology for database population and we present and discuss possible source of outliers/ uncertainties

Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2014

This paper aims at analysing how secondary materials production and end of life recovery processe... more This paper aims at analysing how secondary materials production and end of life recovery processes are modelled in life cycle-based environmental assessment methods in order to discuss their suitability in product policy-support contexts, with a focus on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) policies. The equations prescribed in three published, widely recognised standards are evaluated. In addition, more recent modelling approaches that have been adopted in the context of two EU product policy initiatives (the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and the Resource Efficiency Assessment of Products (REAPro)) are similarly analysed. All of the methods are scrutinised against eight criteria which we deem to be important in product policy-support contexts, including comprehensiveness, accommodation of openloop and closed-loop product systems, and consideration of recyclability/recoverability rates, to name a few. Based on this analysis, it is suggested that the PEF and REAPro modelling approaches appear to be better suited for use in product policy-support contexts than do the currently widely endorsed methods that we considered.

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universität, Darmstadt, 2000.

Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are scientific approaches behind a grow... more Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are scientific approaches behind a growing number of environmental policies and business decision support in the context of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) / Sustainable Industrial Policy (SIP) (COM(2008) 397/3) and Resource Efficiency (COM(2011)0571). The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) provides a common basis for consistent, robust and quality-assured life cycle data, methods and assessments. This document supports the correct use of the characterisation factors of the LCIA methods recommended in the ILCD guidance document “Recommendations for Life Cycle Impact Assessment in the European context - based on existing environmental impact assessment models and factors” (EC-JRC, 2011). The characterisation factors are provided in a separate database as ILCD-formatted xml files and as Excel files. This document focuses on how to use the database and highlights existing limitations of the databa...

To date a proliferation of sustainability claims in architecture is noticed. The major focus is o... more To date a proliferation of sustainability claims in architecture is noticed. The major focus is on energy and related CO2 and on the use stage of buildings. Although energy during the building use stage is highly relevant, a more comprehensive life cycle approach is needed to support decision making in order not to overlook relevant environmental burdens such as respiratory effects and land use. This proliferation of sustainability claims is not only noticed in the building sector. Also in other sectors confusion in the market on how to measure the environmental performance has appeared due to this proliferation of claims. This can lead to unfair commercial practices and greenwashing. As a base for addressing the current confusion in the market, the Environmental Footprint was developed and has recently been adopted by the European Commission. This method provides specific guidance for comprehensive, robust and consistent environmental assessment of products and organisations. It is...

Environmental Science & Technology, 2015

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2015

ABSTRACT Purpose This paper presents a structured comparison of the European Commission (EC) Prod... more ABSTRACT Purpose This paper presents a structured comparison of the European Commission (EC) Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method with a number of existing European environmental accounting methods and standards that were taken into account during its development. In addition to the ISO 14040 and 14044 which represent the main reference, also the ISO/TS 14067, ILCD Handbook, PAS 2050, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Ecological Footprint and BPX 30-323-0 were considered. This comparison aims at evaluating the extent to which the EC PEF method contributes to filling the identified methodological gaps and, ultimately, the extent to which it meets a number of key principles for PEF studies: relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy and transparency. The EC PEF method has been developed by the Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) in close cooperation with the Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV). It aims at providing a European, common methodology for evaluating the environmental performance of products. Its use for undertaking product environmental footprint studies is supported by the 2013 Recommendation to the EC Communication “Building the single market for green products - Facilitating better information on the environmental performance of products and organisations.” Methods In this paper, the selected environmental accounting methods are compared against a set of nine identified core criteria for EF studies. These criteria include, e.g. applicability of results, boundary of the evaluation, requirements on data type and quality, requirements on uncertainty evaluation, requirements on reporting and review. Results from this comparison have been used to evaluate the extent to which the methods considered meet a number of key identified principles for EF studies: relevance, completeness, consistency, accuracy and transparency. Results and discussion Overall, results of the analysis demonstrate that the EC PEF method resolves most shortcomings identified in the other methods with respect to the core comparison criteria. This, in turn, allows the EC PEF method to largely satisfy all of the key identified principles for PEF studies, and in particular the consistency principle, which is often not fulfilled by the other environmental accounting methods. Conclusions The EC PEF method provides for a greater degree of methodological consistency and establishes unambiguous requirements, hence facilitating increased consistency, comparability and reproducibility of results. It fills most of the shortcomings of the other methods, meeting virtually all of the key principles for PEF studies.

Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Management, 2011

Quality and consistency of life cycle based decision support are essential in public policy and b... more Quality and consistency of life cycle based decision support are essential in public policy and business context. Those can and should be supported by 'critical review' of underlying data and of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies themselves. A review assesses whether an LCA study or related data sets meet pre-defined requirements. A review can help avoiding errors, assuring that all options or method requirements have been appropriately taken into account, and last but not least increasing acceptance by stakeholders. Whilst requiring efforts, failing to perform a thorough review can cost significantly more than you initially save. The principle requirements for reviews are briefly addressed in the ISO 14040 series. While other LCA-based standards define some review requirements in more detail, information on how to conduct the review or what qualifications are required from reviewers is scarce. Therefore, more specific requirements and guidance on reviewing Life Cycle Inventory and Life Cycle Assessment studies are provided in the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook. Distinctions are made for the necessary level of review depending on the application context through a review scheme for 12 different cases. Differentiations are made with respect to the intended audience of the study, the complexity and broadness of the assessment, and the necessary type of stakeholder involvement. In result, two different review types were identified to meet the needs -each in a variant with and without stakeholder involvement. The scope of review ("what") and the method of review that shall be used to verify the fulfillment of the requirements ("how") are specified in the ILCD Handbook. For how to do the review, examples are provided, e.g. evidence collection by means of available documentation, cross-checks, verification and review of data source, calculations. More details will be provided in the document "Review scope, methods and documentation for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)" that currently is under development. Last but not least the review can be only as good as the reviewers. Therefore, the ILCD Handbook also provides requirements on the necessary qualifications of reviewers. In addition for the upcoming ILCD Data Network, initially somewhat reduced "entry-level" requirements have been defined. All these ILCD review requirements conform to the LCA-related ISO standards.

Sustainability, 2012

Environmental implications of the whole supply-chain of products, both goods and services, their ... more Environmental implications of the whole supply-chain of products, both goods and services, their use, and waste management, i.e.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014

Purpose The European Commission (EC) has developed a reference method for organisation environmen... more Purpose The European Commission (EC) has developed a reference method for organisation environmental footprinting (OEF) in support of improving the sustainability of production and consumption. This methodological development was guided by four core criteria. Specifically, it was deemed necessary that the method provides for a (1) multi-criteria, (2) life cycle-based approach that considers all organisational and related activities across the supply chain, (3) provides for reproducibility and comparability over flexibility, and (4) ensures physically realistic modelling. Methods Here, we review a subset of existing organisation environmental footprinting methods. We evaluate key areas of convergence (very limited!) and divergence between these methods, and the extent to which the methodological specifications they provide satisfy the four aforementioned criteria for the EC OEF method. On this basis, we specify where and why the EC OEF method necessarily diverges from and/or goes beyond the reviewed methods. Results and discussion We found little consistency between the reviewed methods, and few instances where our four criteria for the EC OEF method were satisfied. We specify the methodological norms for the EC OEF method for, among other things, definition of the unit of analysis (the organisation) and reference flow; organisation and analytical boundaries; cut-off criteria; impact categories and models; allocation solutions; and data quality. We further provide a rationale for each norm, in particular why they diverge from the various options presented in the reviewed methods.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2008

... However, in case overriding considerations let it seem to be appropriate to have a separate I... more ... However, in case overriding considerations let it seem to be appropriate to have a separate ISOstandardisation effort for GHG emissions from products and services, experts with the SETAC Europe LCA SC want to be constructively engaged and contribute to their development. ...

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2010

Introduction The European Commission is supporting the development of the International Reference... more Introduction The European Commission is supporting the development of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD). This consists primarily of the ILCD Handbook and the ILCD Data Network. This paper gives an insight into the scientific positions of business, governments, consultants, academics, and others that were expressed at this public consultation workshop. Workshop focus The workshop focused on four of the topics of the main guidance documents of the ILCD Handbook: (1) general guidance on life cycle assessment (LCA); (2) guidance for generic and average life cycle inventory (LCI) data sets; (3) requirements for environmental impact assessment methods, models and indicators for LCA; and (4) review schemes for LCA.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2011

ABSTRACT Introduction The amount of waste generated in Europe and, beyond, by our production and ... more ABSTRACT Introduction The amount of waste generated in Europe and, beyond, by our production and consumption patterns is significant. A proper waste management is essential in order to reduce detrimental environmental impacts. For the European Union, the general principles of good waste management are outlined in the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC). This directive establishes a five-step hierarchy of waste management starting with the preferred option of waste prevention followed by preparing waste for reuse, recycling and other recovery with disposal (such as landfill) as the last resort. Methods The European Commission encourages the use of life cycle thinking (LCT) to complement the waste hierarchy for a more environmentally sound and factual support to decision-making in waste management. Results This has led to the development of a set of guidelines, tailored to the needs of different target audiences, which help apply LCT and quantitative tools such as life cycle assessment to waste management systems and strategies. The main aim of this paper is to present these guidelines, while also providing a structured overview on existing waste management criteria (e.g. the waste hierarchy), concepts and tools.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013

Background

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013

Purpose Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is a field of active development. The last decade has... more Purpose Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is a field of active development. The last decade has seen prolific publication of new impact assessment methods covering many different impact categories and providing characterization factors that often deviate from each other for the same substance and impact. The LCA standard ISO 14044 is rather general and unspecific in its requirements and offers little help to the LCA practitioner who needs to make a choice. With the aim to identify the best among existing characterization models and provide recommendations to the LCA practitioner, a study was performed for the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).