Assessing the Environmental Impact of Cement Production in Zambia: An Integration of Life Cycle Assessment and SimaPro Software

Abstract

This study rigorously assesses the environmental impact of Zambia's cement industry, utilizing the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the application of SimaPro software. The focus is primarily laid on the stages of raw material extraction and transportation, pivotal in the cement production process. The analysis, grounded in the use of the eco-invent database, renowned for its reliability, encompasses a comprehensive evaluation of resource depletion, energy usage, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a particular emphasis on the latter. Findings reveal that raw material extraction and transportation collectively contribute to 80% of the environmental footprint associated with the production of 1000 tonnes of cement as a functional unit. Specifically, raw material extraction is responsible for 44%, transportation 36%, and coal consumption for limestone decomposition 19% of the total impact. The assessment critically examines environmental impact categories such as climate change, freshwater eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, fossil depletion, and human toxicity. These categories are selected due to their direct relevance to the overarching goal of the study. A noteworthy aspect of the analysis is the cement industry's dependency on hydroelectricity. The role of renewable energy sources, particularly hydroelectricity, in mitigating ecological impacts is underscored. The systematic approach of SimaPro, enhanced through the incorporation of industry-specific and region-specific data, adds a layer of reliability to the study. This research, conforming to industry standards and evaluated by experts, delves deeply into aspects such as energy consumption, GHG emissions, water utilization, and land use. To augment the robustness of the findings, a sensitivity analysis is also conducted. The study underlines that the processes of raw material extraction and transportation are key contributors to the environmental footprint of the cement industry in Zambia. Recommendations are made for ethical sourcing, exploration of alternative transportation methods, and optimization of logistics. The study acknowledges the vital interplay between corporations, governments, and academic institutions in shaping tailored sustainability policies. Proposals for the adoption of alternative fuels and the optimization of transportation logistics are put forward, highlighting that ethical raw material extraction is imperative for transitioning towards a more sustainable cement industry.