Chapter 13 Assessing Environmental Impacts
by Lars Zimmermann and Johannes Kopton
This week, we are looking at how to assess the environmental impacts of horticultural production. Specifically, you will learn how to measure the environmental footprint (e.g. carbon or water footprint) of a production system. To do that, we are going to talk about a method called Lifecycle Assessment (LCA). It allows us to quantify all environmental impacts, from the production of resources (e.g. green houses, inputs, tractors, fuel, …) over direct emissions to the disposal/recycling of waste.
We are offering the unique chance to have a hands-on exercise and learn how to create a simple LCA using open source tools and free data. Please bring your own laptops, if you can!
13.1 Preparations
This week is going to be a bit different.
The only thing we ask you to read before the lecture is this short introduction to Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) by Kevin Harding.
This will help you answer the questions below.
In addition, if you have a laptop, we ask you to install the LCA software openLCA. It is completely open source. You can download it for free here for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Please bring your laptop on both Wednesday and Thursday.
13.2 Questions
- Briefly describe what an LCA is, and how it is different than e.g. an organic label.
- What are the 4 stages of LCA?
- Which of these statements is correct?
- LCAs are for measuring only climate impact.
- There are international standards for how to perform an LCA.
- LCAs can be used to compare the environmental footprint of different products.
- LCAs can be used to compare the environmental footprint of different processes.
- LCA is a tool specifically for agriculture and the food sector.
- Think of 3 ways, in which LCA could contribute to a more sustainable food system.
13.3 Literature for discussion
We’re discussing this LCA study on fruit and vegetable production in south-east Spain. We do not expect you to dive deep into the methodology here. Make sure, you understand the general approach and the results.
13.4 Term paper topics
Better buy regional fruits and veggies? The environmental impact of transportation in context Johannes Kopton, Lars Zimmermann
Tomatoes from Spain, bananas from Indonesia, apples from Chile. Horticultural products can come a long way, quite literally. Or we might buy them from the farm just around the corner. How does it impact the environmental footprint? Is regional always better?
Organic or integrated production - sustainability in apple production Lars Zimmermann, Johannes Kopton There are two basic cultivation paradigms in apple growing: Organic and integrated production. In organic cultivation, no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are used, but more intensive use of machinery is required. How do the environmental footprints of the two cultivation methods differ? Are organically produced apples really more sustainable?