Methods of Environmental and Eco-efficiency Assessment

Transcription

1 Methods of Environmental and Eco-efficiency Assessment DainiusMartuzevičiusand Inga Stasiulaitienė, Kaunas Universityof Technology, Dept. Of Environmental Engineering PlasTEP summer School, , Kaunas Part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund In this lecture: Why environmental assessment? Types of environmental assessment Eco-efficiency assessment theory 1

2 Why Environmental Assessment? Human activities in general are mostly associated with an impact to the environment Especially production: Mining of raw materials; Transportation; Production processes; Product usage; Utilization of waste. 2 Why Environmental Assessment? In order to meet the concept of sustainable development, we have to assess and minimize the impact to environment in each step! That s where methods of environmental assessment come handy. 3

3 Society Environment ` Economics 4 Society Environment Sustainable Development ` Economics 5

4 What is the Environmental Assessment? Environmental assessment is a procedure that ensures that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before the decisions are made. It ensures that plans, programmes and projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are made subject to an environmental assessment, prior to their approval or authorisation. 6 Environmental assessment tools Assessment tool Eco-effiencyanalysis Purpose Achieving more value from lower inputs of materials and energy and with reduced emissions Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) Comparison of products/activities with the same function, identification of weaknesses within the life cycle of a product or process; identification ofimprovement potentials, ecolabelling. Environmental Assessment (IEA) Impact Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Risk Assessment Environmental Audit Analysis of the potential environmental impacts of a new plant or activity related to its location (prognosis). Providing a high level of protection of the environment and contributing to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. Quantifying the probability of a harmful effect to individuals or populations from certain human activities. Evaluating the current ecological performance and setting targets for the future environmental performance of a company. 7

5 Eco-efficiency analysis 8 Eco-efficiency analysis(1) Eco-efficiency -management philosophy that aims at minimizing ecological damagewhile maximizing efficiency of the production processes, such as through the lesser use of energy, material, and water, improved recycling, and elimination of hazardous emissions or by-products. Eco-efficiency is reached by the delivery of competitively priced goods and servicesthat satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively reducing environmental impactsand resource intensity throughout the life cycle, to a level at least in line with earth s estimated carrying capacity. 9

6 Eco-efficiency analysis(2) The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has identified seven elements that can be used to improve eco-efficiency: Reduce material intensity; Reduce energy intensity; Reduce dispersion of toxic substances; Enhance recyclability; Maximize use of renewables; Extend product durability; Increase service intensity. 10 Eco-efficiency analysis(3) In practice, eco-efficiency is achieved through the pursuit of three core objectives: Increasing product or service value; Optimizing the use of resources; Reducing environmental impact. 11

7 Eco-efficiency analysis(8) The application of eco-efficiency indicators in the business sectors is commonly based on the ratio of productor service value/environmental impact. Most indicators focus on the consumption of energy, materials and waters and the emission of greenhouse gases. 12 Eco-efficiency analysis(6) INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14045: Environmental management Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems Principles, requirements and guidelines: Eco-efficiency assessment is a quantitative management tool which enables the consideration of life cycle environmental impacts of a product system alongside its product system value to a stakeholder. Within eco-efficiency assessment, environmental impacts are evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as prescribed by other InternationalStandards (ISO 14040, 14044). Consequently, eco-efficiency assessment shares with LCA many important principles such as life cycle perspective, comprehensiveness, functional unit approach, iterative nature, transparency and priority of scientific approach 13

8 Eco-efficiency analysis(6) A key differencein eco-efficiency analyses as compared to ISO LCAsis the evaluation of both environmental burdens and economic costs in ecoefficiency analyses, whereas LCAsevaluate only environmentalburdens. Eco-efficiency analyses address two of the three "pillars of sustainability economic, environmental, and social impacts whereas LCA address environmental impacts. 14 Eco-efficiency analysis(10) Eco-efficiency assessment Environmental assessment Goal and scope definition Product system value assessment Quantification of eco-efficiency Applications: Product development and improvement Stategicplanning -Budgeting - Investment analysis Public policy making Marketing Green purchasing Awareness raising Other Interpretation (including quality assurance) 15

9 Life Cycle Assessment 16 Life-Cycle Assessment(1) A life cycle assessment (LCA, also known as life cycle analysis, ecobalance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is the investigation and evaluation of the environmental impacts of a given productor service caused or necessitated by its existence. Compilation and evaluation of inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle. 17

10 Life-Cycle Assessment(2) Life-cycle analysis attempts to quantify the full range of environmental impacts associated with a product by considering all inputs of resources and materials and all outputs of wastes and pollution at each stage of the product's life including acquiring raw materials (e.g., mining), manufacturing and distributing the product, the consumer's use and maintenance of the product, and its ultimate disposal. 18 Life-Cycle Assessment Product Design and Life Cycle Assessment,

11 Life-Cycle Assessment Stages of an Life Cycle Assessment ISO 14040:

12 Definition of goal and scope(1) Thescope, includingthesystemboundaryand levelof detail, of anlca dependsonthesubjectand theintendeduseof thestudy. The depth and the breadth of LCA can differ considerably dependingonthegoalof a particularlca. The scope should be sufficiently well defined to ensure that the breadth, depth and detail of the study are compatible and sufficient to address the stated goal. 22 Definition of goal and scope(2) The scope includes the following items: the product or process system to be studied; the functional unit; the system boundary; allocation procedures; impact categories selected and methodology of impact assessment; data requirements; assumptions; limitations; initial data quality requirements. 23

13 Definition of goal and scope(3) Functional unit quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit. A system may have a number of possible functions and the one selected for a study depend on the goal and scope of the LCA. The primary purpose of a functional unit is to provide a reference to which the inputs and outputs are related. This reference is necessary to ensure comparability of LCA results. Comparability of LCA results is particularly critical when different systems are being assessed, to ensure that such comparisons are made on common basis 24 Definition of the functional unit examples Definition of goal and scope(4) Example LCA case Comparison of waste treatment technologies Functional unit Treatment of certain amount of waste with a definedcomposition(e.g., 1 kg of mixed MSW) Comparisonof beveragecontainersystems 1 pieceof containercarrying1 literof beverage(not1 kg of package, since, e.g., a glass bottle is heavier than PET bottle) Wastetransportbytrainortruck Transportof 1 ton of wasteover1 km 25

14 System boundaries The next vital task in the goal and scope definition step is todefine system boundaries. The necessity of defining systemboundaries results from the fact that the main technique appliedin any LCA is modelling. A function fulfilled by the productis represented by a model of the complex technical system.this consists of subsequentprocesses required to produce, transport, use and dispose of a product. 26 Process tree of the production and use of biodiesel Product Design and Life Cycle Assessment, p

15 Stages of an Life Cycle Assessment ISO 14040: Inventory analysis(1) Life Cycle Inventory Analysis The life cycle inventory analysis is an inventory of input/output data with regard to the system being studied. It involves collection of the data necessary to meet the goals of the defined study

16 Inventory analysis(3) Life Cycle Inventory Analysis Inventory analysis involves: Data collection (energy inputs, raw material inputs products, co-products and waste, emissions to air, discharges to water and soil, other environmental aspects). Data calculation (validation of data collected, the relating of data to unit processes, the relating of data to the reference flow of the functional unit). Allocation of flows and releases (consideration should be given to the need for allocation procedures when dealing with systems involving multiple products and recycling systems) Inventory analysis(4) LCA of coffee machine Life Cycle Inventory Analysis

17 Stages of an Life Cycle Assessment ISO 14040: Impact assessment The purpose of life cycle impact assessment is to provide additional information to help assessa product system s life cycle inventory analysis resultsso as to better understand their environmental significance. 33

18 Impact assessment The impact assessment is aimed at evaluating the significance of potential environmental impacts using the life cycle inventory analysis results. In general, this process involves associating inventory data with specific environmental impact categories and category indicators. The life cycle impact assessment provides information for the life cycle interpretation Impact assessment Human Health: Respiratory effects, Climate change Ecosystem quality: Ecotoxicsubstances, acidification, eutrophication Resources: Depletion of minerals and fossil fuels Based on Ecoindicator99 classification. A special software may be employed to facilitate assessment

19 Stages of an Life Cycle Assessment ISO 14040: Interpretation Life cycle interpretation is the final phase of the LCA procedure, in which the resultsof an life cycle inventory analysis or an life cycle impact assessment, or both, are summarized and discussedas a basis for conclusions, recommendations and decision-making in accordance with the goal and scope definition. 37

20 Reporting A reporting strategy is an integral part of an LCA. An effective report should address the different phases of the study under consideration. Report the results and conclusions of the LCA in an adequate form to the intended audience, addressing the data, methods and assumptions applied in the study, and the limitation thereof. 38 Life cycle assessment: Case study of EBFGT Electron beam flue gas treatment (EBFGT) technology is a dryscrubbing process of simultaneous SO 2 and NO x removal, where irradiation of stack gases with an electron beam induce chemical reactions that make removal of SO 2 and NO x easier. The energy of incident electron beam is absorbed by components of stack gas in proportion to their mass fraction. The main components of stack gas are N 2, O 2, H 2 O and CO 2, with much lower concentration of SO 2 and NO x. 39

21 NOx/SOx-consisting flue gas treatment by electron beam technology (2) 40 Goal of a study The goal of a study was to assess the environmental performance of EBFGT process by comparing it to another physical chemical treatment technology (WFGD + SCR). The functional unit was set as 1000 Nm3 of treated flue gases, that is, all inputs and outputs of the processes were normalized to the above quantity of exhaust gas. The main attention was paid to process material consumption, energy (electricity), emissions to atmosphere and deposition of byproducts. System boundaries and input/output flow schemes 41

22 Emmisions to air, soil and water Fuel incineration Electricity Heat Water Water Steam production Emmisions to air, soil and water 42 EBFGT process boundaries 43

23 EBFGT inventory analysis 44 Environmental impact assessment Gabi 4 professional software with EcoInventdatabase was used to analyze material flows and to assess environmental impacts. The impacts were presented as global warming potential, acidiphication, eutrophication, human toxicity potential 45

24 EBFGT WET FGD + SCR Impact assessment of EBFGT [kg CO2 Equiv.] Global Warning Potential Global warming potential Ozone Layer Depletion Potential Ozone layer depletion potential Potential Acidification potential [kg R11 Equiv.] 7.00E E E E E E E E E-07 [kg SO2 Equiv.] By-products Materials Electricity E EBFGT WET FGD + SCR EBFGT WET FGD + SCR EBFGT WET FGD + SCR Electricity Materials resources By-products Electricity Materials resources By-products Electricity Materials resources By-products Potential Eutrophication potential Human Toxicity Potential Human toxicity potential 2001, (Central Europe) CML2001 Experts IKP, Central Europe [kg Phosphate Equiv.] [kg DCB Equiv.] EBFGT WET FGD + SCR EBFGT WET FGD + SCR Electricity Materials resources By-products Electricity Materials resources By-products Electricity Materials resources By-products 46