The role of life cycle assessment in supporting sustainable agri-food systems: A review of the challenges

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 food-related 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.

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot Phase—Comparability over Flexibility?

“…By identifying potential environmental impacts (including trade-offs) and showing directions, LCA/PEF can support/guide decisions towards "green products" and a "circular economy" [51][52][53]. Thus, we support the PEF approach to address all relevant impact categories and the full life cycle of products as well as the proposal of further guidance for a method for quantifying and communicating environmental performance from cradle-to-grave.…”

The challenging paradigm of interrelated energy systems towards a more sustainable future

“…Although the depth and breadth of LC approaches have developed rapidly in the past decades, further research is needed to consolidate important controversies and close methodological gaps. In LCA, further development on impact assessment methods is crucial on the following issues [457]: a) characterization of impacts on biodiversity, land use change and water footprint; b) integration of spatial and temporal perspectives on regional impact categories (e.g. acidification, eutrophication and toxicity); and c) characterization of field emission to soil and water considering site-specific soil conditions.…”

Effective Life Cycle Management in SMEs: Use of a Sector-Based Approach to Overcome Barriers

“…The issue particularly affected New Zealand between 2007 and 2010 [53] However, during that same period and subsequently, various environmental life cycle-based assessment studies were undertaken to quantify the environmental impacts of products (e.g., carbon, water and biodiversity footprints as well as the complementary and more comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) studies). Many of these studies provided evidence that counteracted the proposed link between distances travelled and environmental impacts [53][54][55].…”