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An Ecological Economic Critique of the Use of Market Information in Life Cycle Assessment Research

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  • Nathan Pelletier
  • Peter Tyedmers

Abstract

The rising prominence of life cycle assessment (LCA) and similar environmental accounting frameworks reflects increasing awareness of the pressing necessity of managing both for eco‐efficiency and with respect to the macroscale, environmental dimensions of the material/energy flows and emissions that underpin all economic activity. However, by relying on environmentally myopic market signals to inform evaluations of the biophysical dimensions of economic activity through the widespread use of market information (in particular, via economic allocation) in LCA, we are concerned that researchers greatly compromise the value of their work to furthering these objectives. In response to this problem, we provide a systematic critique of the use of market information in attributional LCA and present the case for an ecological‐economic approach to the execution, interpretation, and application of biophysically consistent LCA research specifically intended to elucidate the environmental dimensions of meeting human needs. We further argue that, although LCA has historically been limited to informing eco‐efficiency considerations, it can and should also be used to manage for sustainable scale, which is the first condition of sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathan Pelletier & Peter Tyedmers, 2011. "An Ecological Economic Critique of the Use of Market Information in Life Cycle Assessment Research," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(3), pages 342-354, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:15:y:2011:i:3:p:342-354
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00337.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Dzeraviaha, Ihar, 2018. "Mainstream economics toolkit within the ecological economics framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 15-21.
    2. Liu, Zhe & Adams, Michelle & Cote, Raymond P. & Geng, Yong & Chen, Qinghua & Liu, Weili & Sun, Lu & Yu, Xiaoman, 2017. "Comprehensive development of industrial symbiosis for the response of greenhouse gases emission mitigation: Challenges and opportunities in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 88-95.
    3. Roux, Charlotte & Schalbart, Patrick & Assoumou, Edi & Peuportier, Bruno, 2016. "Integrating climate change and energy mix scenarios in LCA of buildings and districts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 619-629.
    4. Hoffman, Eric & Cavigelli, Michel A. & Camargo, Gustavo & Ryan, Matthew & Ackroyd, Victoria J. & Richard, Tom L. & Mirsky, Steven, 2018. "Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in organic and conventional grain crop production: Accounting for nutrient inflows," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 89-96.
    5. Leticia Regueiro & Richard Newton & Mohamed Soula & Diego Méndez & Björn Kok & David C. Little & Roberto Pastres & Johan Johansen & Martiña Ferreira, 2022. "Opportunities and limitations for the introduction of circular economy principles in EU aquaculture based on the regulatory framework," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 2033-2044, December.
    6. Allacker, K. & Mathieux, F. & Manfredi, S. & Pelletier, N. & De Camillis, C. & Ardente, F. & Pant, R., 2014. "Allocation solutions for secondary material production and end of life recovery: Proposals for product policy initiatives," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 1-12.
    7. Jara Laso & Daniel Hoehn & María Margallo & Isabel García-Herrero & Laura Batlle-Bayer & Alba Bala & Pere Fullana-i-Palmer & Ian Vázquez-Rowe & Angel Irabien & Rubén Aldaco, 2018. "Assessing Energy and Environmental Efficiency of the Spanish Agri-Food System Using the LCA/DEA Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Arrieta, Ezequiel M. & Cabrol, Diego A. & Cuchietti, Anibal & González, Alejandro D., 2020. "Biomass consumption and environmental footprints of beef cattle production in Argentina," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).

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