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Bio-LCA: Introducing biodiversity in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Objective

Finding ways to implement biodiversity metrics in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an increasingly important topic that has not yet been satisfactorily addressed. Product LCA is on the rise, as shown by recent initiatives such as the labeling experiment promoted by the French government. However, limitations in the LCA methodology have thus far restricted the calculation of LCA indicators mostly to a subset of non-biological indicators. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are either left outside the scope of most LCA studies or questionably calculated.
The present project Bio-LCA: Introducing biodiversity in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) intends to majorly contribute to solving the issue of making LCA and biodiversity compatible. The project will consist on the inclusion of important drivers of biodiversity change, such as resource overexploitation and introduction of invasive species, as indicators in the LCA framework. These indicators will be introduced at the midpoint level (as direct results of processes or emissions), and their aggregation in a single endpoint biodiversity indicator will be determined. A standardized impact assessment methodology for biodiversity using LCA will be configured and made accessible to researchers and for environmental metrics tools to use. This methodology will take into consideration the need to introduce accurate measures of biodiversity, but will also strive for simplicity so that the use of the new metrics can be put in place by a wide range of users, in line with the European Union’s Integrated Product Policy and the undergoing work on a European LCA product-level standard.
This two-year project combines the experience in LCA of the researcher with the expertise in biodiversity studies by the host in a multidisciplinary, multi-sectorial effort.

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
EU contribution
€ 169 800,00
Address
Prinsstraat 13
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Antwerpen Arr. Antwerpen
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Anne Adams (Mrs.)
Links
Total cost
No data