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Differential Convergence of Life‐Cycle Inventories toward Upstream Production Layers

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  • Manfred Lenzen

Abstract

We present an input‐output analysis of the life‐cycle labor, land, and greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements of alternative options for three case studies: investing money in a new vehicle versus in repairs of an existing vehicle (labor), passenger transport modes for a trip between Sydney and Melbourne (land use), and renewable electricity generation (GHG emissions). These case studies were chosen to demonstrate the possibility of rank crossovers in life‐cycle inventory (LCI) results as system boundaries are expanded and upstream production inputs are taken into account. They demonstrate that differential convergence can cause crossovers in the ranking of inventories for alternative functional units occurring at second‐and higher‐order upstream production layers. These production layers are often excluded in conventional process‐type life‐cycle assessment (LCA) by the delineation of a finite system boundary, leading to a systematic truncation error within the LCI. The exclusion of higher‐order upstream inputs can be responsible for ranking crossovers going unnoticed. In this case, an incomplete conventional process‐type LCA of two alternative options can result in preferences and recommendations to decision makers that are different from preferences and recommendations concluded from a complete hybrid input‐output‐based assessment. Therefore, the need to avoid misleading effects on the ranking of alternative functional units due to differential convergence supports the practice of hybrid input‐output‐based LCA techniques.

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  • Manfred Lenzen, 2002. "Differential Convergence of Life‐Cycle Inventories toward Upstream Production Layers," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 6(3‐4), pages 137-160, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:6:y:2002:i:3-4:p:137-160
    DOI: 10.1162/108819802766269575
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    Cited by:

    1. Feng, Kuishuang & Hubacek, Klaus & Siu, Yim Ling & Li, Xin, 2014. "The energy and water nexus in Chinese electricity production: A hybrid life cycle analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 342-355.
    2. Xueting Zhao, 2015. "LCA Methodologies an Annotated Bibliography," Working Papers Resource Document 2015-03, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University.
    3. Wang, Saige & Chen, Bin, 2018. "Three-Tier carbon accounting model for cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 163-175.
    4. He, Jiaxin & Lin, Boqiang, 2019. "Assessment of waste incineration power with considerations of subsidies and emissions in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 190-199.
    5. Ji, Shiyu & Chen, Bin, 2016. "Carbon footprint accounting of a typical wind farm in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 416-423.
    6. Cao, Yuwei & Meng, Yiqun & Zhang, Zongyue & Yang, Qing & Li, Yifei & Liu, Chuang & Ba, Shusong, 2024. "Life cycle environmental analysis of offshore wind power: A case study of the large-scale offshore wind farm in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    7. Chen, Shaoqing & Zhu, Feiyao & Long, Huihui & Yang, Jin, 2019. "Energy footprint controlled by urban demands: How much does supply chain complexity contribute?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 561-572.

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