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Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Nature-Based Solutions: Learnings, Methodological Challenges, and Perspectives from a Critical Analysis of the Literature

Author

Listed:
  • Pyrène Larrey-Lassalle

    (NOBATEK/INEF4, 67 rue de Mirambeau, 64600 Anglet, France)

  • Stéphanie Armand Decker

    (NOBATEK/INEF4, 67 rue de Mirambeau, 64600 Anglet, France)

  • Domenico Perfido

    (R2M Solution srl, Via Fratelli Cuzio n. 42, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Serkan Naneci

    (Ekodenge, Hacettepe Teknokent, 1.Ar-Ge Binası, No:18, Beytepe, Ankara 06800, Turkey)

  • Benedetto Rugani

    (RDI Unit on Environmental Sustainability Assessment and Circularity, Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 41 Rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg)

Abstract

The use of life cycle assessment (LCA) allows work to go beyond the traditional scope of urban nature-based solutions (NBS), in which ecosystem services are provided to citizens, to include environmental impacts generated over the entire life cycle of the NBS, i.e., from raw material extraction, through materials processing, production, distribution, and use stages, to end-of-life management. In this work, we explored how LCA has been applied in the context of NBS through a critical analysis of the literature. Systems under review were not restricted to one typology of NBS or another, but were meant to cover a broad range of NBS, from NBS on the ground, water-related NBS, building NBS, to NBS strategies. In total, 130 LCA studies of NBS were analysed according to several criteria derived from the LCA methodology or from specific challenges associated with NBS. Results show that studies were based on different scopes, resulting in the selection of different functional units and system boundaries. Accordingly, we propose an innovative approach based on the ecosystem services (ES) concept to classify and quantify these functional units. We also identify and discuss two recent and promising approaches to solve multifunctionality that could be adapted for LCA of NBS.

Suggested Citation

  • Pyrène Larrey-Lassalle & Stéphanie Armand Decker & Domenico Perfido & Serkan Naneci & Benedetto Rugani, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Nature-Based Solutions: Learnings, Methodological Challenges, and Perspectives from a Critical Analysis of the Literature," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:5:p:649-:d:803869
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria R. C. De Sousa & Franco A. Montalto & Sabrina Spatari, 2012. "Using Life Cycle Assessment to Evaluate Green and Grey Combined Sewer Overflow Control Strategies," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(6), pages 901-913, December.
    2. Callesen, Ingeborg, 2016. "Biodiversity and ecosystem services in life cycle impact assessment – Inventory objects or impact categories?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 22(PA), pages 94-103.
    3. Golkowska, Katarzyna & Rugani, Benedetto & Koster, Daniel & Van Oers, Cor, 2016. "Environmental and economic assessment of biomass sourcing from extensively cultivated buffer strips along water bodies," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 31-39.
    4. Babí Almenar, Javier & Elliot, Thomas & Rugani, Benedetto & Philippe, Bodénan & Navarrete Gutierrez, Tomas & Sonnemann, Guido & Geneletti, Davide, 2021. "Nexus between nature-based solutions, ecosystem services and urban challenges," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    1. Adam R. Mason & Pepe Puchol‐Salort & Alfred Gathorne‐Hardy & Barbara Maria Smith & Rupert J. Myers, 2024. "Local terrestrial biodiversity impacts in life cycle assessment: A case study of sedum roofs in London, UK," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(3), pages 496-511, June.
    2. Kofi Armah Boakye-Yiadom & Alessio Ilari & Daniele Duca, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Life Cycle Assessment on the Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Benedetto Rugani & Philippe Osset & Olivier Blanc & Enrico Benetto, 2023. "Environmental Footprint Neutrality Using Methods and Tools for Natural Capital Accounting in Life Cycle Assessment," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-30, June.
    4. Elena Di Pirro & Peter Roebeling & Lorenzo Sallustio & Marco Marchetti & Bruno Lasserre, 2023. "Cost-Effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions under Different Implementation Scenarios: A National Perspective for Italian Urban Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Babí Almenar, Javier & Petucco, Claudio & Sonnemann, Guido & Geneletti, Davide & Elliot, Thomas & Rugani, Benedetto, 2023. "Modelling the net environmental and economic impacts of urban nature-based solutions by combining ecosystem services, system dynamics and life cycle thinking: An application to urban forests," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).

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