In the second half of the 20th century, the behaviour of the world's population has undergone drastic changes: it has grown very rapidly, become longer-lived and moved preferably to urban areas. ...Migration of populations to cities has a special focus because it not only generates socio-economic development, but also causes different economic, social, and environmental issues. How to assess the sustainable development of cities and identify the most representative aspects of sustainability dimensions has become an essential challenge for effective planning and government policies. However, the selection of indicators has scarcely been addressed when Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been used for sustainability assessment. This paper aims to identify the key indicators to determine the eco-efficient performance towards a sustainable development of a set of cities. For this purpose, the joint use of a variable selection method and a DEA model is proposed and applied to a set of 31 Spanish cities. The results obtained identified five social (population percentage at risk of poverty, number of registered gender violence cases, population density), five economic (average household income, average rental price per m2, gross domestic product per capita, public/private vehicle ratio, indebtedness), and three environmental (ozone, NO2, PM10) indicators for the assessment. Moreover, 14 Spanish cities were considered non-eco-efficient, and targets to achieve eco-efficient levels were proposed. Policy makers could focus primarily on the social and economic aspects of non-eco-efficient cities, paying attention, for example, to the risk of poverty of the population, indebtedness of local governments, average rental price and NO2 emissions.
•Key indicators for sustainability assessment of cities are identified.•A variable selection method and a DEA model are combined to evaluate sustainability.•The approach includes three social, five economic and two environmental indicators.•The main difference between sustainable and non-sustainable cities is determined.
Agri-food has become an economic sector under increasing pressure in order to support food demand and decrease environmental impacts. One valuable methodology to evaluate environmental impacts is ...life cycle assessment (LCA), which has been employed in different economic sectors, however, beekeeping has been scarcely explored. In this context, this article investigates the environmental profile of 31 Chilean beekeeping systems reporting 15 environmental impact categories with a cradle to gate approach. In this way, this study identifies key contributing activities, variability in the environmental impacts, differences among operation scales, and provided efficient management practices for policy-makers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that conducts a wide environmental analysis of beekeeping systems through LCA. The results show that feeding is the most impacting activity in all categories, followed by hives transport. Otherwise, medication, consumption of disposable inputs and honey extraction contribute less than 5% in average across all categories. Regarding the operation scale, the results suggest that small-scale beekeepers have the lowest environmental performance. Otherwise, medium-scale beekeepers have better environmental performance than the large-scale ones, depending on the environmental impact category evaluated. Finally, managerial practices in order to achieve sustainable honey production are provided.
Operations management tools are critical in the process of evaluating and implementing action towards a low carbon production. Currently, a sustainable production implies both an efficient resource ...use and the obligation to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The carbon footprint (CF) tool allows estimating the overall amount of GHG emissions associated with a product or activity throughout its life cycle. In this paper, we propose a four-step method for a joint use of CF assessment and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Following the eco-efficiency definition, which is the delivery of goods using fewer resources and with decreasing environmental impact, we use an output oriented DEA model to maximize production and reduce CF, taking into account simultaneously the economic and ecological perspectives. In another step, we stablish targets for the contributing CF factors in order to achieve CF reduction. The proposed method was applied to assess the eco-efficiency of five organic blueberry orchards throughout three growing seasons. The results show that this method is a practical tool for determining eco-efficiency and reducing GHG emissions.
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•Joint use of carbon footprint (CF) assessment and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)•Assessment of eco-efficiency with DEA output oriented models•Eco-efficiency analysis with undesirable outputs•New procedure for changing factors contributing to CF•Improvements of eco-inefficient agricultural practices
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•Wheat straw-based itaconic acid is a promising alternative in biorefinery approach.•Pretreatment and fermentation stages account for the largest environmental burdens.•A renewable ...electricity has a significant influence on the environmental profile.
This study performs the environmental assessment of itaconic acid (IA) production from wheat straw. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is used to determine the environmental hotspots, considering impact categories such as Global Warming (GW), Fossil Resource Scarcity (FRS), Water Consumption (WC), among others. A sensitivity analysis was performed considering an optimization of the steam explosion process and 100% renewable energy. Results report an impact of about 14.33 kg CO2 eq in GW, 4.15 kg of oil eq in FRS, for each kg of IA produced for the baseline scenario. Moreover, the pretreatment and fermentation stages constitute hotspots of the IA production. In addition, using a renewable energy source in production would reduce the impact by 82% in GW, 71% in PM and 82% in FRS categories. The optimization of the steam explosion process presents a better performance in GW and FRS but also lies in an increase in WC.
The bioeconomy is positioned as a sustainable pathway to address the climate crisis and decrease the consumption of fossil resources. Life cycle methodologies are recognised as useful tools for ...assessing sustainability issues of production and consumption patterns. Nevertheless, the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodology is less explored despite its potential, although it is true that social sustainability assessment in promoting bioeconomy strategies requires more attention. This study describes the state of the art of the S-LCA methodology under the bioeconomy framework, critically analysing the main procedural and practical issues of its implementation, and the eventual specificities, as well as providing some of the challenges for future studies. This review highlights methodological weaknesses that require further research, related to the definition of system boundaries and cut-off criteria, the method of impact assessment, and the selection of societal issues and stakeholders, as well as uncertainty, among others. In addition, particularities of the bioeconomy in the life perspective were noted, such as multifunctionality and allocation issues of bio-based products, as well as the strong interest in biofuel production systems. Therefore, more efforts are desirable to address the diversity of challenges towards the progress of the S-LCA method in line with other life cycle approaches (environmental and economic). However, the updated S-LCA Guidelines represent a useful and valuable starting point on the way towards a comprehensive (i.e., diverse social concerns) and standardised social assessment under a life cycle perspective.
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•This study provides a comprehensive review of S-LCA in the bioeconomy framework.•Workers and related social categories are in the focal point of interest.•Biofuels production is the most widely analysed bio-based system.•Diverse methodological frameworks have been proposed to strengthen the S-LCA method.•The main weaknesses and challenges in the application of S-LCA are discussed.
The product carbon footprint (CF) has been raised as an environmental indicator to estimate the sum and removals of GHG emissions, expressed as CO2 equivalents (CO2e), based on a life cycle ...assessment. Mainly, the measurement of the CF of fruits has been focused on different separate stages with reduced integration of the entire supply chain because data come from different sources at the global fruit market. The main objective of this study is to estimate the CF of the entire supply chain of exported Chilean apple from agricultural production to the UK consumer’s door. The results indicate that the Chilean apple presents GHG emissions of 0.54 kg CO2e/kg apple. The ocean freight is a hot spot that determines the performance of the CF of exported apple with a contribution of 39.2%. Finally, the importance of carrying out these types of studies covering the entire supply chain is emphasized, to provide public and private agents with accurate information and help them make the right decisions. In this way, the misuse of concepts—such as food miles—by interest groups in society is prevented, thus avoiding distortion in the fresh fruit trade.
Bioethanol production has increased in demand as a replacement for conventional fuels. This work studies the use of apple pomace, which corresponds to 45% (w/w) of dehydrated apple production, as a ...reliable and inexpensive source for bioethanol production. Additionally, the vinasse obtained from the process as a byproduct is analyzed. Apple pomace has important properties for energy purposes, with high soluble sugar (6%–8%), organic compounds and low protein content. The carbohydrates were consumed in 99.3% in 144 h at a temperature of 30 °C and in a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YSC) concentration of 0.10 g/L. The bioethanol purity produced, 99.5% (v/v), was quantified by gas chromatography and calorific value (23.21 MJ/kg). This high purity, which fulfills the EN 15376, ASTM D 4806 Standard, allows its use as a fuel and oil additive. Moreover, it can be stated that vinasse obtained from alcohol distillation is a compound that has physicochemical values like other vinasses. Finally, Chile, as the most important exporting country of dehydrated apples in the world, has great potential to take advantage of the use of this raw material for bioethanol and vinasse production.
In north-western Spain, the cultivation of wheat landraces represents the pillar of quality Galician bread; today, a minimum of 25% Galician flour is required to produce bread under the auspices of ...the Protected Geographical Indication “Pan Galego”. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rotation of two wheat landraces—‘Carral’ and ‘Caaveiro’—with lupin (sweet Lupinus albus), together with a fallow period, on crop yield and quality, as well as the environmental benefits of rotations over conventional monoculture systems. After the different agricultural activities, twelve agronomic parameters were analysed at the end of the third year. For the environmental analysis, the Life Cycle Assessment methodology was applied. The results showed a positive influence of rotation systems on wheat yield and quality parameters, reporting higher specific weight and lower impurities compared to monoculture. No significant differences were observed between wheat rotation and monoculture in other parameters related to baking quality, such as protein, wet gluten, baking strength (W), elasticity (L), tenacity (P), and swelling (G). However, soil quality influenced wheat quality independently of rotation, and higher organic matter and lower phosphorus produced higher W and P, respectively. Moreover, rotation had a positive effect on yield, up to 62% when fallow preceded wheat, and in reducing diseases, pests, and weeds. Finally, in terms of environmental performance, the best results were identified when lupin preceded wheat due to lower fertiliser application. In this regard, the worst profiles corresponded to the scenarios based on monoculture for both wheat landraces.
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•Midpoint and endpoint environmental profiles for bio-based isobutene are performed.•Pre-treatment represents the largest environmental burden due to steam demand.•From a system ...approach, co-produce lignin increases the impacts of the biorefinery.•In a product point view, the isobutene profile benefits sharing impacts with lignin.•Allocation method is a relevant decision to declare an environmental profile product.
Moving toward a bioeconomy system is fundamental to climate change mitigation, nevertheless, the biotechnological routes should guarantee an environmental sustainability. Isobutene, a precursor in several industrial applications, is one of those chemicals that the environmental effects of its bio-based production have been scarcely explored. This study aims to assess the environmental performance of two biorefinery systems: the first one focuses only on the production of isobutene (I) and the second one on the co-production with lignin (I + L), both from the valorisation of wheat straw. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology is used to determine the environmental impacts considering mid-point and end-point categories. Biorefineries report 0.65 and 1.32 kg CO2-eq per kg of biomass processed for I and I + L system, respectively. The most affected endpoint damage category corresponds to Human Health, regardless of the scenarios. Moreover, the pre-treatment stage constitutes the main hotspot of both systems considering midpoint and endpoint perspectives.
Wheat plays an essential role in safeguarding global food security. However, its intensive agricultural production, aimed at maximizing crop yields and associated economic benefits, jeopardizes many ...ecosystem services and the economic stability of farmers. Rotations with leguminous are recognized as a promising strategy in favor of sustainable agriculture. However, not all crop rotations are suitable for promoting sustainability and their implications on agricultural soil and crop quality should be carefully analyzed. This research aims to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of introducing chickpea into a wheat-based system under Mediterranean pedo-climatic conditions. For this purpose, the crop rotation “wheat-chickpea” was evaluated and compared with the conventional regime (wheat monoculture) by means of life cycle assessment methodology. For this purpose, inventory data (e.g., agrochemical doses, machinery, energy consumption, production yield, among others) was compiled for each crop and cropping system, thus converted into environmental impacts based on two functional units: 1 ha per year and one € of gross margin. Eleven environmental indicators were analyzed, including soil quality and biodiversity loss. Results indicate that chickpea-wheat rotation system offers lower environmental impacts, regardless of the functional unit considered. Global warming (18 %) and freshwater ecotoxicity (20 %) were the categories with the largest reductions. Furthermore, a remarkable increase (96 %) in gross margin was observed with the rotation system, due to the low cost of chickpea cultivation and its higher market price. Nevertheless, proper fertilizer management remains essential to fully attain the environmental benefits of crop rotation with legumes.
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•Chickpea-wheat rotation was evaluated and compared to traditional wheat monoculture.•The rotation system provides environmental benefits compared to monoculture.•The rotation system substantially improved soil quality.•No significant differences in biodiversity loss were found between the two systems.•The incorporation of chickpea resulted in a considerable increase in gross margin.
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