Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review

Partitioning loads related to multifunctional processes, which generate more than one product or service (i.e. function), is a controversial issue within life cycle assessment (LCA). ISO 14044:2006 suggests a hierarchic stepwise procedure. The first step is to avoid allocation whenever possible, thr...

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Main Authors:	Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes, Silva, Maristela Gomes da, Silva, Vanessa Gomes da
Format:	Online
Language:	eng
Published:	Universidade Estadual de Campinas 2017
Online Access:	https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/parc/article/view/8650295
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id	oai:ojs.periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br:article-8650295
record_format	ojs
institution	Universidade Estadual de Campinas
collection	OJS
language	eng
format	Online
author	Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes Silva, Maristela Gomes da Silva, Vanessa Gomes da
spellingShingle	Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes Silva, Maristela Gomes da Silva, Vanessa Gomes da Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
author_facet	Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes Silva, Maristela Gomes da Silva, Vanessa Gomes da
author_sort	Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes
title	Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
title_short	Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
title_full	Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
title_fullStr	Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
title_full_unstemmed	Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review
title_sort	impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional life cycle assessments: a systematic literature review
description	Partitioning loads related to multifunctional processes, which generate more than one product or service (i.e. function), is a controversial issue within life cycle assessment (LCA). ISO 14044:2006 suggests a hierarchic stepwise procedure. The first step is to avoid allocation whenever possible, through (i) subdividing the multifunctional process into unitary sub-processes with one specific function; or (ii) expanding the system boundaries to include the additional functions related to by-product(s). The second step determines that the system’s inputs and outputs must be allocated based on a fundamental physical relationship between products. When one is unable to identify such physical relationship, flows must be partitioned as to reflect other relations between products, such as their economic value. This paper aims to delineate a scientific overview of the impact distribution methods’ use within LCA practice from 2006 to 2016. Authors performed a systematic literature review and documented methods’ choice frequency within studies published in the considered time frame. Results revealed a lack of consensus among LCA practitioners. Most papers adopt the avoided burden approach (equivalent to system expansion), while the first step proposed in ISO 14044’s hierarchy (subdivision) was actually the least used method. Our examination confirmed that the impact division problem is typically solved by substantially diverging from ISO’s theoretical framework, which suggests both an opportunity for reflection and a reformulation need.
publisher	Universidade Estadual de Campinas
publishDate	2017
url	https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/parc/article/view/8650295
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spelling	oai:ojs.periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br:article-86502952018-12-01T09:54:29Z Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review O uso de métodos de distribuição de impactos em ACVs de processos multifuncionais: uma revisão sistemática da literatura Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes Silva, Maristela Gomes da Silva, Vanessa Gomes da LCA. Allocation. System expansion. Subdivision. Avoided burden. Systematic literature review. ACV. Alocação. Expansão de sistema. Subdivisão. Revisão sistemática da literatura. Partitioning loads related to multifunctional processes, which generate more than one product or service (i.e. function), is a controversial issue within life cycle assessment (LCA). ISO 14044:2006 suggests a hierarchic stepwise procedure. The first step is to avoid allocation whenever possible, through (i) subdividing the multifunctional process into unitary sub-processes with one specific function; or (ii) expanding the system boundaries to include the additional functions related to by-product(s). The second step determines that the system’s inputs and outputs must be allocated based on a fundamental physical relationship between products. When one is unable to identify such physical relationship, flows must be partitioned as to reflect other relations between products, such as their economic value. This paper aims to delineate a scientific overview of the impact distribution methods’ use within LCA practice from 2006 to 2016. Authors performed a systematic literature review and documented methods’ choice frequency within studies published in the considered time frame. Results revealed a lack of consensus among LCA practitioners. Most papers adopt the avoided burden approach (equivalent to system expansion), while the first step proposed in ISO 14044’s hierarchy (subdivision) was actually the least used method. Our examination confirmed that the impact division problem is typically solved by substantially diverging from ISO’s theoretical framework, which suggests both an opportunity for reflection and a reformulation need. Uma questão controversa em ACV é a escolha do método de distribuição de impactos nos processos multifuncionais, isto é: que geram mais de um produto ou serviço. A ISO 14044:2006 sugere que se tente evitar a alocação, utilizando: (i) divisão do processo multifuncional em dois ou mais subprocessos unitários; ou (ii) expansão do sistema de produto para incluir as funções adicionais relativas aos co-produtos. Caso isto não seja possível, as entradas e saídas do sistema devem ser divididas com base em alguma relação física fundamental entre produtos. Caso a relação física não seja identificada, os fluxos devem ser divididos refletindo outras relações entre produtos, por exemplo, seu valor econômico. Este artigo visa delinear um panorama científico do uso de métodos de distribuição de 2006 a 2016. Para tanto, realizou-se uma revisão sistemática de literatura e documentou-se a frequência de escolha dos métodos nos estudos realizados no período considerado. Os resultados revelaram uma falta de consenso entre praticantes de ACV. A maioria dos estudos adota a abordagem do impacto evitado (equivalente à expansão do sistema), enquanto o primeiro passo proposto pela ISO 14044 (subdivisão) foi o método menos usado. Nossa avaliação confirmou que o problema de distribuição de impactos é tipicamente solucionado de forma contrária ao encaminhamento teórico proposto na norma, sugerindo uma oportunidade de reflexão e reformulação. Universidade Estadual de Campinas 2017-12-31 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Systematic literature review Revisão Sistemática da Literatura application/pdf https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/parc/article/view/8650295 10.20396/parc.v8i4.8650295 PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção; Vol. 8 No. 4 (2017): Systematic literature reviews: part II; 272-285 PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção; Vol. 8 Núm. 4 (2017): Revisões sistemáticas da literatura: parte II; 272-285 PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção; v. 8 n. 4 (2017): Revisões sistemáticas da literatura: parte II; 272-285 1980-6809 eng https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/parc/article/view/8650295/17719 Copyright (c) 2018 PARC Pesquisa em Arquitetura e Construção

Impact distribution methods’ use in multifunctional Life Cycle Assessments: a systematic literature review

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