Lecture: Advanced Environmental Assessments

Transcription

1 Lecture: Advanced Environmental Assessments Outlook and Feedback Stefanie Hellweg

2 Learning goals of the lecture 1. Ability to judge the scientific quality and reliability of environmental assessments appropriateness of inventory data and modeling, and adequacy of life cycle impact assessment models and factors 2. Knowledge about the current state of the scientific discussion and new research developments 3. Ability to properly plan, conduct and interpret environmental assessment studies. Knowledge of how to use environmental assessment tools as a decision support tool for companies, public authorities, and consumers Stefanie Hellweg

3 Class topics current status and short outlook Stefanie Hellweg

4 Allocation in multioutput processes and recycling Remains to be an important topic Subjectivity Latest release of ecoinvent v3 published several system models (not perfect, but allow sensitivity analysis) Stefanie Hellweg

5 LCA and decision support Importance of consequential modeling is widely recognized Problem is that it is difficult to model changes (many choices, often compromising transparency and connected with value judgments) Several recent research papers on using partial equilibrium models to model e.g. indirect land use or the future impacts of energy scenarios (Igos et al./applied Energy 145 (2015) ) Stefanie Hellweg

6 Input/output Analysis Multiple multi-regional IO databases (WIOD, Exiobase, EORA) Recent research on large-scale analysis of the environmental impacts of worldwide trade Top down studies about the environmental assessment of consumption available Stefanie Hellweg

7 Regionalization Upcoming theme, with most research on regionalized LCIA methods (land, water, soil, emissions to air) New LCIA methods developed (covering a multitude of impact pathways) with regionalization for most impact categories (LC- Impact); UNEP-SETAC life cycle initiative recommends regionalized methods for the assessment of land and water use (2016) Regionalized inventories not as developed (but also some studies) Pilot research software exist that can handle regionalized LCI and LCIA (Brightway, OpenLCA); standard software tools do not yet offer possibility for regionalized assessments Stefanie Hellweg

8 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) Environmental interventions (LCI) Impact categories Damage categories Weighted impact/damage Emissions (to air, water and soil) Resource extraction In addition to land stress and toxicity, also new recommendations for impacts of water consumption, particulate matter emissions and climate change Ozone depletion Climate change Photochemical ozone creation Particulate matter health impacts Human toxic effects Ionizing radiation Ecotoxic effects Eutrophication Acidification Land impacts Water impacts Resource depletion Noise Seabed impacts Human Health Ecosystem quality Natural resources Ecosystem services Socio-economic asssets Cultural heritage Natural heritage How to account for missing species? Do all species/taxa have the same weight? Weighted score How to account for ecosystem services and natural resources? UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, 2016 ESA - Environmental impacts of energy conversion and use

9 Life cycle impact assessment of chemical emissions Internationally harmonized model exists within LCIA (USEtox) and risk assessment (OECD model) Uncertainties are still very high and need to be reduced Regionalization would be important (but so far only considered in very few case studies); this is different for risk assessment Mixture toxicity in risk assessment and LCIA often not addressed (so far mainly a topic of research) Stefanie Hellweg

10 Workplace and indoor exposure Has been identified as a relevant topic LCIA methods and characterization factors became recently available (within USEtox) Inventory data is still missing (for both occupational settings and households) Stefanie Hellweg

11 Data quality, uncertainty and sensitivity Standard practice Research Uncertainty analysis - Rarely performed - Implementation of Monte Carlo in DBs and LCA software - For individual studies - Common - Quantitative and analytical methods - Meta-analysis of whole databases Sensitivity analysis - Often not implemented systematically - Global and local sensitivity Stefanie Hellweg

12 Data transparency and subjectivity As LCA becomes more mainstreamed, more interests exist Transparency is one way to avoid manipulation Independent, external review another possibility (but in practice the reviewers are sometimes chosen by the author of the study). Some formalized frameworks to address subjectivity have been suggested and are in use Subjective choices should be revealed and sensitivities assessed (but this is omitted in many cases) Stefanie Hellweg

13 Optimization Increasingly used in research to model complex systems Examples: Regional optimization of waste management, optimization of building renovations, energy supply optimization of regions Stefanie Hellweg

14 Economic and Social aspects Large demand for sustainability assessments covering all three dimensions (environment, economic, social) Social assessment still in an early phase, but some first approaches now available Recent EU project assessing sustainability of new technologies Multi-criteria approach can be used to assess all three dimensions of sustainability Stefanie Hellweg

15 New applications: some examples Assessments of worldwide trade and consumption impact UNEP resource panel has published an assessment of global energy production New IPCC reports include LCA of energy technologies Combination of planetary boundary concept and LCA EPD Programs in the construction sector Product Environmental Footprint (PEF): Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based method to calculate the environmental performance of a product (European commission) Industrial Ecology: Some new studies coupling regional MFA, LCA and optimization (e.g. for waste treatment or regional energy supply) Assessment of emerging technologies (e.g. smart phones, carbon capture and storage ) Course on Prospective environmental assessment Stefanie Hellweg

16 Exams Oral exam in exam session for Advanced Environmental, Social and Economic (1 hour in total 30 min preparation, 30 minutes oral exam); For Advanced Environmental Assessment 40 minutes (20 min preparation, 20 minutes oral exam); For scheduling reasons, you will receive an exam slot of 30 or 20 minutes from the rectorate (depending on your enrollment). However, please count on double this duration (the time indicated in your notification will be the starting time). Methodological questions asked with reference to a given case study Advanced Environmental Assessment: Introduction and Overview

17 Theses work Please approach lecturers, if you want to write the Project or Master thesis on a lecture related topic (also own ideas for themes are welcome) Stefanie Hellweg

18 More feedback appreciated good bad Stefanie Hellweg

19 Have a nice holiday!!! Stefanie Hellweg