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Influence of spatial differentiation in impact assessment for LCA-based decision support: implementation of biochar technology in Indonesia

Owsianiak, Mikolaj; Cornelissen, Gerard; Hale, Sarah; Lindhjem, Henrik; Sparrevik, Magnus
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Accepted version
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URI
http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2560651
Date
2018
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Original version
Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018, 200 259-268.   https://doi.org/10.1016/jclpro.2018.07.256
Abstract
Spatial differentiation in evaluation of environmental impacts

in life cycle assessment (LCA) may give more accurate and realistic

results, especially in cases where impacts occur at a local or regional

scale and where sensitivity of receiving ecosystems differs from generic

conditions. However, from a decision maker's perspective it is of

interest to investigate whether the use of spatially differentiated

impact assessment methods in addition leads to better decisions. Biochar

production and agricultural utilization in Indonesia is an example of a

micro-level decision-support case where spatial differentiation could be

relevant.

To study the influence of spatial differentiation on implementation of

biochar as a waste management strategy and the choice of best performing

biochar production techniques, agricultural utilization systems and

geographic locations, comparisons were made between four communities

living on different Indonesian islands, three biochar production

techniques and two types of fertilizer.

Results showed that the differences in impact scores between generic and

spatially differentiated impact scores were an order of magnitude

different for some of the considered impact categories. These differences

influenced the identification of which system performed best when

considering total damage to human health, which was mainly due to

differences in accounting for impacts arising from water use. By

contrast, trade-offs between impact categories combined with relatively

small contribution of some spatially differentiated impacts rendered

spatial differentiation less relevant with regard to total damage to

ecosystems. Total impact scores were influenced to a greater extent by

variations in inventories determining environmental burden and benefits,

than by differences between generic and spatially differentiated

characterization factors. Hence, irrespective of the scenario and type of

damage considered, both generic and spatially differentiated assessments

showed that implementing biochar technology in Indonesia is expected to

bring environmental benefits.

It was shown that spatial differentiation in impact assessment did not

necessary lead to better decisions in this case study. This may suggest

that depending on the goal of the LCA, practitioners should consider

potential benefits of implementing spatially differentiated life cycle

impact assessment methods as opposed to potential benefits from

collecting site-specific inventories.
Journal
Journal of Cleaner Production

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