DOCSLIB.ORG

The Application of Life-Cycle Assessment Within a Public Policy Framework – Theory and Reality

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Application of Life-Cycle Assessment Within a Public Policy Framework – Theory and Reality The Application of Life-Cycle Assessment within a Public Policy Framework – Theory and Reality by Christina Seidel A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Alberta © Christina Seidel, 2016 Abstract Public policy plays a major role in defining societal programs and frameworks, including issues related to environmental protection. Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) offers a tool to provide comprehensive environmental impact information that can be applied within the public policy development process. However, direct application of LCA results within the public policy arena has been limited, as a result of process and technical barriers. Despite the potential challenges and barriers, LCA could theoretically improve the decision-making process, and ultimately lead to better environmental outcomes. To facilitate this process, this thesis develops and presents recommendations to encourage consistent approaches to incorporating LCA into public policy decision making, in order improve the informed consideration of environmental factors within public policy development. In developing this thesis, information from existing literature provided a background of the use of LCA in public policy development and research into associated barriers. Literature was supplemented through interviews with subject matter experts, as well as practical LCA application through involvement with case studies with public policy elements. The current ISO LCA standards were also reviewed through a lens of public policy application. Research results were summarily integrated to develop a proposed framework for incorporating an improved LCA methodology into public policy development. Research showed that barriers that limit the application of LCA within the public policy development process range from lack of technical knowledge and LCA understanding on the part of policy makers, to a lack of trust in LCA process and results. Many of the ii identified barriers suggest that the failure of LCAs to contribute positively to public policy development is due to the process within which the LCA is being incorporated, rather than technical problems in the LCA itself. This led to the conclusion that a more open and inclusive process, with a focus on communication and understanding, may provide a better alternate framework for the development of public policy. This approach suggests that effectively incorporating LCA within the overall public policy decision-making process requires a more normative multi-disciplinary approach that includes a range of stakeholders and public policy decision-makers in a collaborative process at all stages of the assessment. Involving decision-makers and a full range of stakeholders actively, wholly and genuinely throughout a transparent and robust LCA process would serve to build an effective public policy development framework that would facilitate increased integration of LCA. A set of recommendations for implementing this type of process represents a significant contribution of this thesis. Additional recommendations suggest expanding the ISO LCA standards to embrace subjective and process elements, making them more robust, and encouraging the use of LCA in applications such as public policy. An overall conclusion is that one of the most important aspects of incorporating LCA into public policy decisions is to encourage life-cycle thinking among policy makers. Considering the life-cycle implications will result in more informed and thoughtful decisions, even when a full LCA is not undertaken. iii Preface This thesis is an original work by Christina Seidel. Portions of this thesis have been compiled and are pending publication as a paper titled The Application of Life Cycle Assessment to Public Policy Development in the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. iv Acknowledgements I owe a great deal to my long-suffering supervisors, Dr. Michael Lipsett, and Dr. David Checkel. They have seen me through this process despite delays and setbacks, always encouraging me to soldier on. It is entirely due to their perseverance and inspiration that this thesis has materialized. I would also like to acknowledge the many outside experts who contributed their knowledge and insight, adding much to the depth of research and conclusions. In particular, the individuals at CalRecycle, who led me through the California Used Oil LCA process were always very supportive and helpful in building my understanding of that monumental undertaking. The staff and Board members of the Alberta Recycling Management Authority also deserve a special thank you for allowing me to use their Scrap Tire LCA as a guinea pig for this thesis. Following that process through in its entirety provided much of the hands- on research for this project. v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................... ii Preface........................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................. viii List of Figures................................................................................................................ viii Glossary ......................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 2 Methodology .............................................................................................................. 4 3 Public Policy Development Process .......................................................................... 8 4 The Basics of Life-Cycle Assessment ...................................................................... 14 4.1 Goal and Scope Definition .............................................................................. 15 4.2 Inventory Analysis ........................................................................................... 18 4.3 Impact Assessment ........................................................................................ 22 4.4 Interpretation .................................................................................................. 26 5 Application of LCA to Public Policy Development .................................................... 27 6 Barriers to Applying LCA within the Public Policy Development Process ................. 32 7 Addressing Barriers to Incorporation of LCA in Public Policy Development ............. 40 8 A Public Policy Development Process Framework that Embraces LCA ................... 44 9 A Broader Process – Life Cycle Thinking ................................................................. 66 10 Case Study Review ................................................................................................. 68 10.1 Alberta Scrap Tire Recycling Example ............................................................ 69 10.1.1 Process Results .................................................................................. 74 10.2 CalRecycle Used Oil LCA Project Example .................................................... 85 10.3 Key Case Study Lessons ................................................................................ 90 10.4 Case Studies Link to Proposed Public Policy Development Framework.......... 91 11 ISO Standards – Applications and Implications to Public Policy: A Critical Review .. 94 11.1 Rational Approach .......................................................................................... 95 11.2 Qualitative Elements ....................................................................................... 96 11.3 Life Cycle Interpretation .................................................................................. 98 vi 11.4 Reporting ........................................................................................................ 99 11.4.1 Critical Review .................................................................................. 100 11.4.2 Conclusions....................................................................................... 101 12 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................... 102 References .................................................................................................................. 107 Appendix A: Key Informant Interview Guiding Questions ............................................. 114 Appendix B: Key Informant Contacts ........................................................................... 116 Appendix C: Interview Key Messages ......................................................................... 117 Appendix D: Alberta Scrap Tire LCA Model Results .................................................... 119 vii List of Tables Table 1: Alberta Tire Recycling LCA Option Rankings ................................................... 25 Table 2: RACI Matrix for LCA Process .......................................................................... 46 Table 3 Terminology Changes for Clarity and Simplicity ...............................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Final Report Here
    Workshop on the Design of Sustainable Product Systems and Supply Chains September 12–13, 2011 Arlington, Virginia Final Report ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Troy Hawkins, Chair Maria Burka Heriberto Cabezas Bruce Hamilton Darlene Schuster Raymond Smith ADVISORY COMMITTEE Ignacio Grossmann Thomas Theis Eric Williams Bert Bras Raj Srinivasan Bhavik Bakshi Saif Benjafaar Alan Hecht SUPPORT STAFF Susan Anastasi Michelle Nguyen Erin Chan Dan Tisch Donna Jackson Sonia Williams TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………1 About the Workshop, Goals, and Overview………………………………………………….......3 Workshop Schedule………………………………………………………………………………4 Summary……………….………………………………………………………………………....7 Appendix A: Goals of the Workshop............................................................................................................... A-2 List of Participants...................................................................................................................... A-3 Biosketches................................................................................................................................. A-5 Position Statements................................................................................................................... A-26 Notes from Breakout Group Sessions....................................................................................... A-69 Appendix B: “Welcome to the Design of Sustainable Product Systems and Supply Chains Workshop”....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Indicators
    Sustainability Internship Project Report Internship period June 10, 2015 – May 27, 2016 Learning Project Mentors Laura Bloch, M.S., D. Env., Region 9, Sustainability Advisor Elyssa Bairstow, M.A., Region 9, Environmental Management Systems Lead U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CSU Faculty Supervisors Kathleen McAfee, Dr., Professor Burcus Ellis, Dr., Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator International Relations, San Francisco State University Intern Emiliya Asenova Rasheva International Relations, San Francisco State University August 20, 2016 Sustainability Table of Contents Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 2 1. Background .............................................................................................................................. 3 1.1. Sustainable Development ................................................................................. 3 1.2. Measuring Sustainability ................................................................................ 4 1.3. Education for Sustainability .............................................................................. 5 1.4. The United States Environmental Protection Agency ...................................... 6 1.4.1. Responsibilities and Goals ....................................................................... 6 1.4.2. Sustainability
    [Show full text]
  • Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices Into Remediation of Contaminated Sites
    Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites Technology Primer Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response April 2008 EPA 542-R-08-002 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites technology primer was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI). The document was prepared in cooperation with EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC) and funded by OSRTI under Contract No. 68-W-03-038 to Environmental Management Support, Inc. The authors gratefully acknowledge the insightful comments and assistance of reviewers within EPA and other federal and state environmental agencies. An electronic version of this primer can be downloaded from OSRTI’s and BTSC’s websites at http://cluin.org/greenremediation or http://www.brownfieldstsc.org. To obtain a copy of the Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites technology primer (free of charge), contact: National Service Center for Environmental Publications P.O. Box 42419 Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419 Phone: 1-800-490-9198 Fax: 301-604-3408 www.epa.gov/nscep/ For additional information about this document, contact Carlos Pachon of EPA OSRTI at 703-603-9904 or [email protected]. As a primer, this document provides topical introductory information rather than guidance. EPA recommends that users refer to applicable regulations, policies, and guidance documents regarding selection of cleanup remedies and implementation of cleanup actions; selected references and additional resources are provided herein.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Materials Management: the Road Ahead
    Acknowledgements THE 2020 VISION WORKGROUP Derry Allen, US EPA National Center for Environmental Innovation Shannon Davis, US EPA Region 9 Priscilla Halloran, US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery Peggy Harris, California Department of Toxic Substances Control Kathy Hart, US EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Jennifer Kaduck, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Angela Leith, US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery Clare Lindsay, US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery Mark McDermid, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wayne Naylor, US EPA Region 3 Sam Sasnett, US EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Scott Palmer, US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery Karen Sismour, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Pam Swingle, US EPA Region 4 Contractor support provided by Ross & Associates Environmental Consulting, Ltd. and SRA International. EPA530­R­09­009 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................. i Introduction: Our Material World ................................................................................ 1 Chapter 1: A Resource Hungry World.......................................................................... 4 Understanding the Flow of Materials......................................................................... 4 Trends in Global Material Consumption and Environmental Impact ............................... 4 Trends in U.S. Material Consumption and
    [Show full text]
  • Green Book, Sustainability and the US
    This PDF is available from The National Academies Press at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13152 Sustainability and the U.S. EPA ISBN Committee on Incorporating Sustainability in the U.S. Environmental 978-0-309-21252-6 Protection Agency; National Research Council 286 pages 6 x 9 PAPERBACK (2011) Visit the National Academies Press online and register for... Instant access to free PDF downloads of titles from the NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 10% off print titles Custom notification of new releases in your field of interest Special offers and discounts Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the National Academies Press. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Request reprint permission for this book Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Sustainability and the U.S. EPA Committee on Incorporating Sustainability in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science and Technology for Sustainability Program Policy and Global Affairs Division Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Sustainability and the U.S. EPA THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Smart Brownfields Manual Notice: the U.S
    Climate Smart Brownfields Manual Notice: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization funded and managed the development of this manual under contract number EP-W-13-014. It has been subjected to the Agency’s review and has been approved for publication as an EPA document. This manual does not replace established standards or guidelines. Mention of trade names, products, or services does not convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying, official EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation. Cover Photos (top left to bottom right): A wind turbine at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Gold LEED rated City Hall green roof, Seattle, Washington; Solar panels on closed landfill at Ft. Carson Army Base, Colorado; The Shops at White Oak Village on redeveloped former Lucent Richmond Works facility, Richmond, Virginia 2 Climate Smart Brownfields Manual Executive Summary Brownfield revitalization can support community efforts Mitigation: Measures to reduce the to become more resilient to climate change impacts by amount and speed of future climate incorporating adaptation and mitigation strategies throughout change by reducing emissions of the brownfield cleanup and redevelopment process. This heat-trapping gases or removing carbon manual will help communities think about climate mitigation, dioxide from the atmosphere. adaptation, and resilience in the context of brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. This includes consideration of Adaptation: Adjustment in natural or projected climate change and potential impact on vulnerable human systems to a new or changing populations when performing brownfield site assessments, environment that exploits beneficial evaluating cleanup alternatives, and planning for redevelop- opportunities or moderates negative ment.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability and the U.S.EPA
    Sustainability and the U.S. EPA Committee on Incorporating Sustainability in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science and Technology for Sustainability Program Policy and Global Affairs Division Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Sustainability and the U.S. EPA THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance. This study was supported by Contract No. EP-C-09-003 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Any opinions, findings, con­ clusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project. International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-21252-6 International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-21252-9 Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, D.C. 20055; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area); Internet, http://www.nap.edu. Copyright 2011 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Copyright © National Academy of Sciences.
    [Show full text]
  • Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices Into Remediation of Contaminated Sites
    Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites Technology Primer Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response April 2008 EPA 542-R-08-002 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites technology primer was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI). The document was prepared in cooperation with EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center (BTSC) and funded by OSRTI under Contract No. 68-W-03-038 to Environmental Management Support, Inc. The authors gratefully acknowledge the insightful comments and assistance of reviewers within EPA and other federal and state environmental agencies. An electronic version of this primer can be downloaded from OSRTI’s and BTSC’s websites at http://cluin.org/greenremediation or http://www.brownfieldstsc.org. To obtain a copy of the Green Remediation: Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites technology primer (free of charge), contact: National Service Center for Environmental Publications P.O. Box 42419 Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419 Phone: 1-800-490-9198 Fax: 301-604-3408 www.epa.gov/nscep/ For additional information about this document, contact Carlos Pachon of EPA OSRTI at 703-603-9904 or [email protected]. As a primer, this document provides topical introductory information rather than guidance. EPA recommends that users refer to applicable regulations, policies, and guidance documents regarding selection of cleanup remedies and implementation of cleanup actions; selected references and additional resources are provided herein.
    [Show full text]
  • RAAE Copyright 2013 FEM SUA @ APES
    Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics The Successor of the Acta Oeconomica et Informatica ISSN 1336-9261, XVI,Number 2, 2013: 3–15 RAAE Copyright 2013 FEM SUA @ APES REGULAR ARTICLE EMISSIONS FROM INDIRECT LAND USE CHANGE: DO THEY MATTER WITH FUEL MARKET LEAKAGES? Dušan Drabik*1,2, Harry de Gorter1 Address: Dušan Drabik, 1Cornell University, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, B32 Warren Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-7801 phone: +1 607- 255-8076 12LICOS – Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, Waaistraat 6 - bus 3511, B-3000 Leuven - Belgium *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Indirect land use change, an agricultural market leakage, has been a major controversy over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) requirement for corn-ethanol to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent relative to gasoline it is assumed to replace. This paper shows that corn-ethanol policies generate far greater carbon leakage in the fuel market itself. Hence, corn-ethanol does not meet EPA’s threshold, regardless of ethanol policy and whether one includes emissions from land use change. Keywords: biofuels, ethanol, carbon leakage, emissions savings, tax credit, mandate JEL: Q27, Q41, Q42, Q54 INTRODUCTION spatial, multi-market equilibrium model to examine the extensive and intensive margin changes in land use in the The issue of carbon leakage – where greenhouse gas United States induced by biofuel policies and the (GHG) emissions reductions by an environmental policy implications of these policies for GHG emissions. are partially or more than offset because of market effects Although they also provide estimates of leakage in the – is often raised as an issue that will undermine fuel market, they model the biofuel mandate differently.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Research Call 2019 – Technical Description Document
    Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil EPA Research Programme 2014–2020 Sustainability Research Call 2019 – Technical Description Document The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment EPA Research Programme 2014–2020 Sustainability Research Call 2019 This document provides the Technical Description for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sustainability Research Call 2019. Applicants should read the following carefully and consult the other documentation provided (e.g. Guide for Applicants, Guide for Grantees, Terms and Conditions for Support of Grant Awards). Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Ireland’s Environment ......................................................................................................................... 1 EPA Sustainability Research ................................................................................................................ 1 Funding Structure ............................................................................................................................... 2 Co-funding and Partnerships .............................................................................................................. 2 Application Process ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Life-Cycle Assessment in Government Policy in the United States
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 8-2012 Life-Cycle Assessment in Government Policy in the United States Daniel L. Reed University of Tennessee, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss Part of the Energy Policy Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, and the Science and Technology Studies Commons Recommended Citation Reed, Daniel L., "Life-Cycle Assessment in Government Policy in the United States. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2012. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/1394 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Daniel L. Reed entitled "Life-Cycle Assessment in Government Policy in the United States." I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Natural Resources. Don Hodges, Major Professor We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance: Don Hodges, Adam Taylor, Bill Mark, Maureen Peuttmann, Charles Nicholson Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Life-Cycle Assessment in Government Policy in the United States A Dissertation Presented for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Daniel Laroy Reed August 2012 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I offer my sincere gratitude to my major professor, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Science and Research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA Progress Report, 2012 Office of Research and Development
    Science and Research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA Progress Report, 2012 Office of Research and Development Innovation Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow A message from Lek Kadeli health and the environment from one focused Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator on what should not be done, to one based on U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development growth and opportunity. Together with their partners, EPA researchers are part of a growing This report highlights just a small sample of the community of scientists and engineers embracing research results that the scientists and engineers an entrepreneurial spirit aimed at delivering the at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s knowledge, tools, and solutions needed to meet Office of Research and Development delivered today’s most pressing environmental challenges in in support of the American people in 2012. ways that simultaneously spark economic growth While just a snapshot, it reflects the enormous and lay the groundwork for the a new wave of positive impact of what a group of dedicated, American jobs. highly-skilled, and passionate researchers can This spirit of innovation is exemplified throughout accomplish when they work together to cultivate this report, which highlights some of the research an atmosphere of innovation and common results and impacts achieved by EPA scientists purpose in providing solutions to environmental and engineers and their partners during 2012. A health issues. few examples follow. No other environmental research organization in • Developing remote, mobile air monitoring the world offers the collective depth and breadth sensors and technologies that will improve of expertise represented by EPA’s research staff.
    [Show full text]