The role of life cycle assessment in supporting sustainable agri-food systems: A review of the challenges
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Author
Notarnicola, Bruno
Sala, Serenella
McLaren, Sarah J.
Saouter, Erwan
Sonesson, Ulf
Publication date
2016-06-15ISSN
0959-6526
Abstract
Life cycle thinking is increasingly seen as a key concept for ensuring a transition towards more sustainable production and consumption patterns. As food production systems and consumption patterns
are among the leading drivers of impacts on the environment, it is important to assess and improve foodrelated supply chains as much as possible. Over the years, life cycle assessment has been used extensively to assess agricultural systems and food processing and manufacturing activities, and compare alternatives “from field to fork” and through to food waste management. Notwithstanding the efforts, several methodological aspects of life cycle assessment still need further improvement in order to ensure adequate and robust support for decision making in both business and policy development contexts. This paper discusses the challenges for life cycle assessment arising from the complexity of food systems, and recommends research priorities for both scientific development and improvements in practical implementation. In summary, the intrinsic variability of food production systems requires dedicated modelling approaches, including addressing issues related to: the distinction between technosphere and ecosphere; the most appropriate functional unit; the multi-functionality of biological systems; and the modelling of the emissions and how this links with life cycle impact assessment. Also, data availability and interpretation of the results are two issues requiring further attention, including how to account for consumer behaviour.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
63 - Agriculture and related sciences and techniques
Pages
11
Publisher
Elsevier
Is part of
Journal of Cleaner Production
Citation
Notarnicola, Bruno, Serenella Sala, Assumpció Anton, Sarah J. McLaren, Erwan Saouter, and Ulf Sonesson. 2017. "The Role Of Life Cycle Assessment In Supporting Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: A Review Of The Challenges". Journal Of Cleaner Production 140: 399-409. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.071.
Grant agreement number
EC/ / /EU/ /
Program
Sostenibilitat en Biosistemes
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2635]
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