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Life Cycle Impact Assessment for Land Use
Citation:
BARE, J. C. Life Cycle Impact Assessment for Land Use. Presented at InLCA, Boston, Mass., , Boston, MA, September 29 - October 02, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
According to the Millennium Assessment: “Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth” [1] . Although early LCA methodology researchers focused on the modeling of impacts from chemical emissions, it has become obvious that categories like land use and water use require additional attention to appropriately value the impacts. Land use has proven to be the most difficult methodology to develop for a number of reasons. First, it is unlike the chemical emissions categories because there is no single guideline for what should be valued. Secondly, it is obvious that land use impact assessment must be site-specific and an extensive database (preferably with GIS linkages) is needed to provide the input needed for evaluation. Third, developing a strategy for national (United States) use is difficult given the variety of land modifications and occupations which may be the result of agriculture, forestry, and residential and commercial development. Finally, given global purchasing which is currently prevalent, a globally applicable model is desirable, but even more diversity and data scarcity exists when attempting global applicability. Some research was initiated under the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, and more recently publications in this area are available. This paper will present the criteria and steps which were utilized in developing an US land use recommendation, including: a review of the methodologies currently available along with their advantages and disadvantages, and a discussion of the recommendation for US land use modeling.
