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Weighting and Aggregation in Life Cycle Assessment: Do Present Aggregated Single Scores Provide Correct Decision Support?

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  • Pradip P. Kalbar
  • Morten Birkved
  • Simon Elsborg Nygaard
  • Michael Hauschild

Abstract

This study investigates the prevailing practice of obtaining single scores in life cycle assessment (LCA) and identifies potential lacunas in impact assessment methodology related to the results of aggregation into endpoints and single scores. In order to conduct this investigation, a detailed approach was adopted to facilitate identification of three main problems related to the single†score calculation approach. The prevailing ReCiPe single†score calculation method does not account for either the effect of so†called dominating alternatives (i.e., alternatives having high values across all endpoints) or the interdependency of the indicators being aggregated. It was also found that the simple linear weighted sum method, presently used for obtaining single scores, is not capable of accounting for the effect of weighting schemes and thus cannot realistically represent stakeholders’ perspectives. Finally, we propose a distance†based multiple attribute decision†making method for use in obtaining single scores. This method was found to be more suitable, given that it takes into account the weighting schemes and types of indicators in the process of estimating single scores. The new single†score calculation method proposed here is considered ideal for environmental decision†making problems in the context of life cycle sustainability assessment. Thus, it is also ideal for situations in which more†complex decision†making situations will emerge by combining LCA indicators (midpoints or endpoints) with other indicators representing the performance of a system from economic and social perspectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Pradip P. Kalbar & Morten Birkved & Simon Elsborg Nygaard & Michael Hauschild, 2017. "Weighting and Aggregation in Life Cycle Assessment: Do Present Aggregated Single Scores Provide Correct Decision Support?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(6), pages 1591-1600, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:21:y:2017:i:6:p:1591-1600
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12520
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    Cited by:

    1. Buchmayr, A. & Taelman, S.E. & Thomassen, G. & Verhofstadt, E. & Van Ootegem, L. & Dewulf, J., 2023. "A distance-to-sustainability-target approach for indicator aggregation and its application for the comparison of wind energy alternatives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    2. Foteinis, Spyros & Savvakis, Nikolaos & Tsoutsos, Theocharis, 2023. "Energy and environmental performance of photovoltaic cooling using phase change materials under the Mediterranean climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    3. Buchmayr, A. & Verhofstadt, E. & Van Ootegem, L. & Sanjuan Delmás, D. & Thomassen, G. & Dewulf, J., 2021. "The path to sustainable energy supply systems: Proposal of an integrative sustainability assessment framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    4. Wang, Fu-Ping & Kang, Le-Le & Wang, Ya-Jun & Wang, Yu-Ran & Wang, Yi-Tong & Li, Jun-Guo & Jiang, Li-Qun & Ji, Rui & Chao, Shuai & Zhang, Jian-Bao & Fang, Zhen, 2024. "Magnetic biochar catalyst from reed straw and electric furnace dust for biodiesel production and life cycle assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    5. Zacharopoulos, Leon & Thonemann, Nils & Dumeier, Marcel & Geldermann, Jutta, 2023. "Environmental optimization of the charge of battery electric vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    6. Alexander Barke & Walter Cistjakov & Dominik Steckermeier & Christian Thies & Jan‐Linus Popien & Peter Michalowski & Sofia Pinheiro Melo & Felipe Cerdas & Christoph Herrmann & Ulrike Krewer & Arno Kwa, 2023. "Green batteries for clean skies: Sustainability assessment of lithium‐sulfur all‐solid‐state batteries for electric aircraft," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 795-810, June.
    7. Franciely Velozo Aragão & Daiane Maria de Genaro Chiroli & Fernanda Cavicchioli Zola & Emanuely Velozo Aragão & Luis Henrique Nogueira Marinho & Ana Lidia Cascales Correa & João Carlos Colmenero, 2023. "Smart Cities Maturity Model—A Multicriteria Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.

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