Beyond carbon and energy: The challenge in setting guidelines for life cycle assessment of biofuel systems. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Czyrnek-Delêtre, Magdalena M.; Smyth, Beatrice M.; Murphy, Jerry D.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 105(2017)
• Page Start: 436
• Page End: 448
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment -- Sustainability guidelines -- System boundaries -- Impact categories -- Biofuels; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.11.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the most suitable tool for a uniform assessment methodology of biofuels' sustainability. However, there are no binding guidelines for LCA of biofuel systems. Published LCAs use a range of methodologies, different system boundaries, impact categories and functional units, various allocation approaches, and assumptions regarding by- and co-products, as well as different reference systems to which the biofuel system is compared. The European Renewable Energy Directive and the US Renewable Fuel Standard focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, previous LCAs of biofuel systems have shown that a reduction of GHG emissions does not lead automatically to a decrease in other environmental impacts, and might in fact be associated with an increase in impacts such as acidification, eutrophication, and land use change. In order to enable effective comparison of biofuel systems, the authors propose a framework for biofuel LCA. System boundaries should be expanded to include the life cycle of by- and co-products. Results should be reported using more than one functional unit. Burden shifting can be avoided by considering an array of impact categories including global warming potential and energy balance, along with eutrophication and acidification potential, and a land use indicator. Graphical abstract: Highlights: More than one functional unit should be used whenever possible. System boundaries should be expanded to include co- and by-products. Climate, acidification, eutrophication, land use, and energy are the key indicators. Existing frameworks for biofuels LCA focus on greenhouse gases emissions.