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LCA to Estimate the Environmental Impact of Dairy Farms: A Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Zanni

    (Department of Management, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Mariana Roccaro

    (Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Federica Bocedi

    (Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy)

  • Angelo Peli

    (Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Alessandra Bonoli

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Intensive farming is responsible for extreme environmental impacts under different aspects, among which global warming represents a major reason of concern. This is a quantitative problem linked to the farm size and a qualitative one, depending on farming methods and land management. The dairy sector is particularly relevant in terms of environmental impact, and new approaches to meeting sustainability goals at a global scale while meeting society’s needs are necessary. The present study was carried out to assess the environmental impact of dairy cattle farms based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) model applied to a case study. These preliminary results show the possibility of identifying the most relevant impacts in terms of supplied products, such as animal feed and plastic packaging, accounting for 19% and 15% of impacts, respectively, and processes, in terms of energy and fuel consumption, accounting for 53% of impacts overall. In particular, the local consumption of fossil fuels for operations within the farm represents the most relevant item of impact, with a small margin for improvement. On the other hand, remarkable opportunities to reduce the impact can be outlined from the perspective of stronger partnerships with suppliers to promote the circularity of packaging and the sourcing of animal feed. Future studies may include the impact of drug administration and the analysis of social aspects of LCA.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Zanni & Mariana Roccaro & Federica Bocedi & Angelo Peli & Alessandra Bonoli, 2022. "LCA to Estimate the Environmental Impact of Dairy Farms: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6028-:d:816593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castanheira, É.G. & Dias, A.C. & Arroja, L. & Amaro, R., 2010. "The environmental performance of milk production on a typical Portuguese dairy farm," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(7), pages 498-507, September.
    2. Eleonora Foschi & Sara Zanni & Alessandra Bonoli, 2020. "Combining Eco-Design and LCA as Decision-Making Process to Prevent Plastics in Packaging Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist & Helena Hansson & Ulf Sonesson & Stefan Gunnarsson, 2020. "Research on Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability in Dairy Farming: A Systematic Mapping of Current Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    4. O’Brien, Donal & Shalloo, Laurence & Patton, Joe & Buckley, Frank & Grainger, Chris & Wallace, Michael, 2012. "A life cycle assessment of seasonal grass-based and confinement dairy farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 33-46.
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    1. Mondière, Aymeric & Corson, Michael S. & Auberger, Julie & Durant, Daphné & Foray, Sylvain & Glinec, Jean-Francois & Green, Penny & Novak, Sandra & Signoret, Frédéric & van der Werf, Hayo M.G., 2024. "Trade-offs between higher productivity and lower environmental impacts for biodiversity-friendly and conventional cattle-oriented systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    2. Paola Sau & Brunella Arru & Federica Cisilino & Roberto Furesi & Pietro Pulina & Fabio A. Madau, 2023. "Economic and Environmental Sustainability Trade-Off Analysis in Sheep Farming Using the Farm Accountancy Data Network Database," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Cristina Pavanello & Marcello Franchini & Stefano Bovolenta & Elisa Marraccini & Mirco Corazzin, 2024. "Sustainability Indicators for Dairy Cattle Farms in European Union Countries: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-25, May.

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