1. Chapter 4 LCA as Decision Support

2. 4.1 Role of LCA in Decision Support What is a decision support tool – Maybe spreadsheet on corn input costs – Spreadsheet on forming a business In general – Quantifiable data in, quantifiable numbers out – No uncertainty in data, no uncertainty in results – Fuzzy data in, fuzzy data out

3. Example Bring kudzo in as an alternative forage for the southern US Bush honeysuckle for fence rows – weed

4. 4.2 Approach to Sustainability Analytical approach – Examine system – Identify environmental impacts – Address impacts Envisioning approach – What does sustainability mean or what does it look like in the future – Now find a way to move from now to the future

5. Natural Step Framework Defining framework for sustainability – put problem into context Analyze present conditions related to framework Envision future sustainable scenarios Identify strategies to sustainable future

6. Strength of LCA Provides quantifiable results Reveals exact location where change is needed to fix environmental issue Difficulty is with scope/boundary of LCA

7. 4.3 Problem Definition Narrow problem definition – narrow conclusion (perhaps inappropriate conclusion) Sometimes narrow problems are ok – Biomass harvest systems Maybe we don’t include producing fuel for the car Focus on the harvest side

8. 4.3.1 Example Yarra Valley Water Anyone have to use a dictionary? Compare existing water supply with household rainwater tanks Tanks did not make sense – However they made sense for new installations – Therefore the network should not be expanded Question redefined on how to save water Therefore other options were looked at

9. 4.3.2 Yalumba (wine) Environmental impact of different wine casks (in Australian – bag in box) Question expanded to include wine bottles to casks Bottles less volume – appear to be worse Did not take into account market – customer's where higher end Functional unit defined as $50 of wine

10. 4.4 Focus on Functionality Washing clothes – little room to improve efficiency of washer Room to address consumer behavior – Detergent use – Load size – Drying and ironing Could charge per use – increase load size Generalize further – commercial laundery

11. Functionality cont Could further expand to provide adequate clothing – Types of fabrics – Wear – Moisture – Odor – Warmth or UV protection

12. 4.5 Challenging Consumption Focusing on functionality could justify consumption – Do we really need x? Buy a fuel efficient car might mean I drive more (since I have the money to) Buy an efficient clothes dryer – but what about hanging on the clothes line Savings from “green” products usually not as great as predicted

13. Consumption cont. Money people save is usually spent on other things I bought a Corolla instead of a F450 – I save money and energy – But I use some of the money to buy an LCD TV

14. 4.6 Non Result of LCA Input/output behavior from system can be used to predict real effects – Most countries have extensive economic databases No option makes difference in the environmental impact Would imply that activity is unsustainable – Wine?

15. 4.7 Depth of the Product System Natural versus unnatural – Agriculture is natural, except But fuel consumption by tractors Chemicals Fertilizers

16. Sources of Data Guidelines for National GHG Inventories - http://www.ipcc- nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html http://www.ipcc- nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html US Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report - http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usin ventoryreport.html