LCA mainstreaming conditions in Latin America—based on learnings from 2005 to 2014

Abstract

Purpose Based on the 2005-2014 developments in the Latin American and the Caribbean region (LAC), this paper aims to understand the conditions' levels for mainstreaming life cycle assessment/life cycle management (LCA/LCM) and map key next actions. Methods Along the paper, four mainstreaming conditions are analyzed: expansion of LCM/LCA training activities, availability of LCA studies, national LCA database operating, and existence and activity of national life cycle network(s). Assuming that countries with better conditions are in a better position to develop national LCA based regulations, policies are also researched to complement this study. Results and discussion With nine life cycle (LC) networks in 2014, the LAC region has positively developed its networking capacities since 2005 but not the databases area (only one LCA database, Mexicaniuh, is fully operational). It was found that countries with no networks, lack all LCA trainings, studies, and databases.Local capacities are limited which in best case, Chile, does not exceed 18 practitioners per 10 million inhabitants. Based on the total score on mainstreaming conditions, Mexico and Brazil are the most advanced countries, but their markets for LCA professionals are still small (Valdivia et al. 2015), which suggests that tailored made strategies are needed for stronger uptake of LCA by industrial sectors.Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Colombia are in the second tier but still lack a critical mass of business cases and the political will to improve their mainstreaming conditions. Conclusions LCA development in the LAC region since 2005 is overall positive but still insufficient to serve the growth of prosperous LCA markets. Well-functioning LC networks are essential to leapfrog LCA. In 2014, about 27 % of LAC countries counted on a LC network. A common language in the region (except for Portuguese in Brazil) has been instrumental for expanding LCA through regional cooperation. LCA-based policies are boosted when local capacities and databases are available following the cases of Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. More data and research are needed to understand the women role in advancing LCA and the causalities and motivations of LAC companies to decide for LCA implementation. The application of the methodology was possible thanks to good quality data available and delivered key findings to develop national road maps for advancing LCA. No indicator used is specific for the LAC region and similar exercises are encouraged in other regions such as Africa and Asia.

Environmental Challenges in the Residential Sector: Life Cycle Assessment of Mexican Social Housing

“…The methodology has been used in several economic sectors in the country, such as the energy [27] or mining industries [28]. According to the study conducted by Valdivia, until 2014 Mexico was the second ranking LAC country in terms of publications referring to LCA (101 articles) [3].…”

“…The population of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) represents 8.55% of the world population [1], of which 75% is concentrated in countries with emerging economies (32% Brazil, 20% Mexico, and 22% for Colombia, Argentina, Peru and, Chile together) [1,2]. The high metabolic rates of this region have obliged governments to design and introduce new approaches to separate their economic growth from the use of resources and, consequently, their environmental impact [3].…”

Ethanol Production from Schinus molle Essential Oil Extraction Residues

“…The e-factor, as well as the PMI, MP, and RME are based on the mass ratios, which are known variables in this work [23]. Additionally, the balances used for the environmental impact are a step closer to a life cycle assessment (LCA) [24][25][26]. The analysis is delimited to an EOEP with a processing capacity of 100 kg of S. molle seeds and includes a mass balance, as well as the process gas emissions on the established essential oil extraction process.…”

Preface

“…Interestingly, the software also delves into specific ways through which citizens can reduce their impact on the environment. Valdivia et al (2016) is the final published contribution in this Special Issue. Its main objective was to describe the implementation of LCA and life cycle management (LCM) in the LAC region in the period from 2005 to 2014.…”

“…Although numbers vary from 4 to 18 practitioners per 10 million inhabitants according to the results published by Valdivia et al (2016), these values are only available for those nations in which a life cycle network has been implemented, so it is plausible to presume that numbers may be even lower for most LAC nations. Further capacity building, which has already been implemented at different levels, with the support of the Life Cycle Initiative (UNEP) and the national LCA networks, as well as the proliferation of life cycle topics in master and doctorate programs across the continent, appear as two solid ways forward to consolidate the knowhow needed to maintain and improve the utility of LCA in the region.…”