Carbon, energy and water footprints analysis of rapeseed oil production: A case study in China. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ji, Changxing; Zhai, Yijie; Zhang, Tianzuo; Shen, Xiaoxu; Bai, Yueyang; Hong, Jinglan
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 287(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Rapeseed oil -- Environmental effect -- Energy footprint -- Carbon footprint -- Water footprint -- China; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112359
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: As the largest consumer of rapeseed oil in the world, China should consider the environmental effect of rapeseed oil production. However, only a few improvement measures have been proposed. To fill this gap, this study analyzed the energy, carbon and water footprints of rapeseed oil production based on the International Organization for Standardization standards using the framework of life cycle assessment. Results show that most of the energy, carbon, and water footprint of rapeseed oil production can be contributed to the direct processes of rapeseed cultivation, and the indirect processes of transport and fertilizer/diesel production. The value of energy and carbon footprints are calculated as 726.07 kg oil eq and 3889.75 kg CO 2 eq, respectively. For the water footprint, the values of acidification, aquatic eutrophication, carcinogens, freshwater ecotoxicity, water scarcity, and non-carcinogens are 14.24 kg SO2 eq, 4.53 kg PO4 −3 eq, 6.72 × 10 −5 Case, 5.43 × 10 4 PAF.m 3 .d, 437.62 m 3 deprived, and 1.88 × 10 −5 case, respectively. Spatial analysis shows that the total environmental impacts of rapeseed production are concentrated in Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi Provinces. Correlation analysis reveals the positive correlation of human health and ecosystem quality with fertilizer application and pesticide loss. In general, the environmental effect can be effectively reduced by adjusting the industrial layout to shorten the distance of transport, improve the fine cultivation degree in low-yield areas, and decrease the use of pesticides in the hilly region of southern China. Highlights: The environment footprints of rapeseed oil production were analyzed. Data on national-level average planting and on-site production were adopted. Balanced fertilization and organic fertilizer application should be popularized. Industrial layout should be adjusted to shorten the transportation distance. Pesticides use in the hilly region of southern China should be reduced.