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the white paper to policy makers, meant as communication output targeting policy makers and industrial stakeholders, focused on explaining the results of the sustainability assessment of the PUReSmart technologies, in light of the current and upcoming policies, with the ultimate goal of supporting circular economy. The document is built upon the sustainability analysis carried out in WP5 but has focused on communicating the results of a sustainability assessment in a non-technical way, highlighting the key characteristics of the analysed system, the complexities around a life cycle-based sustainability assessment and the trade-off that might arise when evaluating multiple dimensions of sustainability, both within and among different sustainability domains. Regarding the analysis, the potential environmental impacts of the PUReSmart technological system were quantified with the PEF methodology, complemented by the evaluation of relevant social topics and the identification of social risks. Results pointed out the potential of PUReSmart solution in reducing environmental burdens when managing EoL PU-based mattresses and when producing secondary polyols&isocyanates. There is also potential for positive social impacts in particular on workers and local community, that can be achieved through the implementation of adequate management practices by the organisations that will operate the technology., More info about the project: https://www.puresmart.eu/

This article provides guidelines for conducting consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. It presents the main features of two alternative approaches used in LCA-attributional and consequential-and describes how consequential LCA can be performed consistently and appropriately, with an example provided to guide practitioners. It is argued that, despite its limitations, consequential LCA is a robust approach for estimating important indirect effects of products.

To assess the potential environmental impact of human/industrial systems, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a very common method. There are two prominent types of LCA, namely attributional (ALCA) and consequential (CLCA). A lot of literature covers these approaches, but a general consensus on what they represent and an overview of all their differences seems lacking, nor has every prominent feature been fully explored. The two main objectives of this article are: (1) to argue for and select definitions for each concept and (2) specify all conceptual characteristics (including translation into modelling restrictions), re-evaluating and going beyond findings in the state of the art. For the first objective, mainly because the validity of interpretation of a term is also a matter of consensus, we argue the selection of definitions present in the 2011 UNEP-SETAC report. ALCA attributes a share of the potential environmental impact of the world to a product life cycle, while CLCA assesses the environmental consequences of a decision (e.g., increase of product demand). Regarding the second objective, the product system in ALCA constitutes all processes that are linked by physical, energy flows or services. Because of the requirement of additivity for ALCA, a double-counting check needs to be executed, modelling is restricted (e.g., guaranteed through linearity) and partitioning of multifunctional processes is systematically needed (for evaluation per single product). The latter matters also hold in a similar manner for the impact assessment, which is commonly overlooked. CLCA, is completely consequential and there is no limitation regarding what a modelling framework should entail, with the coverage of co-products through substitution being just one approach and not the only one (e.g., additional consumption is possible). Both ALCA and CLCA can be considered over any time span (past, present &amp, future) and either using a reference environment or different scenarios. Furthermore, both ALCA and CLCA could be specific for average or marginal (small) products or decisions, and further datasets. These findings also hold for life cycle sustainability assessment.

Paris : UNEP 149 Seiten (2021)., Published by UNEP, Paris

The evaluation, monitoring and reduction of the heating and cooling consumptions are topics of increasing importance. One promising technology is the geothermal heat pump. Despite its undoubted advantages compared to fossil fuels in terms of RES production, CO2 reduction and primary energy savings, there are still significant barriers for the creation of sustainable local markets. Many regions present similar conditions in terms of climate, geology, hydrogeology, infrastructure and political conditions. Because of the context-driven nature of shallow geothermal systems, similarities should be taken into account and strategies shared across borders to foster the introduction and exploitation of shallow geothermal energy. Focusing on the results of the LEGEND Project, this paper presents an attempt at creating an interregional strategy for the widespread introduction of geothermal heat pumps in the Adriatic area, which includes EU and non-EU countries. The multi-level approach adopted (a combination of desk studies on the transferability potential, pilot plants across the regions and programs to involve, educate and train stakeholders) allowed to set up the strategy. Therefore, different actions are proposed to stimulate the development of the market, whose interconnection across the Adriatic can accelerate the achievement of the main energy and climate targets for all the countries involved.

This paper presents and discusses the applicability and the main challenges of the methodology Organisational LCA to an organisation in the sector of agricultural equipment. The main methodological issues related to the modelling of end of life are discussed, together with the possible sinergies and complementarities with the ISO 14001:2015.The O-LCA has proven to be a very useful and complete approach for an organisation, and contributing to make a step towards Sustainable Development Goals, namely “Sustainable Production and Consumption Patterns”. By looking both at the product portfolio and at the activities, it provides a global view on the organisation and allows identifying the most effective and efficient interventions to optimise the environmental performances. It is close to the way the organisations are used to deal with the environmental management and, as such, the O-LCA could represent the analytical tools within the already existing management schemes.