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Here continues the millennial tradition where I list ten papers published this year that particularly impressed me for one or the other reason. Disclaimer: this is probably the most subjective and most criteria-weak top ten you find on the web. Also, this year there is a lot of LCA papers so I hope you really enjoy reading this stuff.

Random order!

 

LCA and Global Sensitivity Analysis

Probably the most technically interesting paper I read this year in the LCA space. Amazing work this one. 👌

Kim, A., Mutel, C., Froemelt, A., 2021. Robust high-dimensional screening. Environ. Model. Softw. 105270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105270

 

LCA and circular bio-economy

These two papers go well together. The authors have done a very good job in identifying current challenges and controversies. Must read if you do research in bioeconomy.

Finkbeiner, M., Bach, V., 2021. Life cycle assessment of decarbonization options—towards scientifically robust carbon neutrality. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 26, 635–639. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-021-01902-4

Sevigné-Itoiz, E., Mwabonje, O., Panoutsou, C., Woods, J., 2021. Life cycle assessment (LCA): informing the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy? Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 379, 20200352–20200352. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0352

 

Comparative LCA under uncertainty

Nothing to add here. Very useful paper with good overview of various stat approaches, all explained. A classic “Heijungs R”.

Heijungs, R., 2021. Selecting the best product alternative in a sea of uncertainty. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 616–632. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-020-01851-4

 

Allocation is a problem

I don’t think it was the original intention of the authors, but this is probably the best critique of allocation (aka “partitioning multifunctional activities according to rather arbitrary normative rules”) that exists today. Highly recommended if you can read between the lines.

Wilfart, A., Gac, A., Salaün, Y., Aubin, J., Espagnol, S., 2021. Allocation in the LCA of meat products: is agreement possible? Clean. Environ. Syst. 2, 100028–100028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100028

 

LCA and modelling recycling

Not a sci paper but this book chapter deserves a special mention for the crazyness. I didn’t even imagine people had invented so many different methods for modelling recycling…Think that I have been using substitution for ages without problems. Kudos to the authors for collecting all of them together and nicely explaining them.🙌

Tomas Ekvall, Miguel Brandão, 2020. Modelling material recycling in life cycle assessment: how sensitive are results to the available methods? Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788972727.00018

 

Even more on multifunctionality

This paper is discussing marginals in a different way. I am not sure I agree with all the claims made here but…it started some thoughts. And then I need a consequential paper for the list.

Ekvall, T., Gottfridsson, M., Nellström, M., Nilsson, J., Rydberg, M., Rydberg, T., 2021. Modelling incineration for more accurate comparisons to recycling in PEF and LCA. Waste Manag. 136, 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.09.036

 

Some puzzling papers

I keep a positive vibes only policy in this blog and it is not my intention to criticize anybody here. This said, I would like to list two papers that puzzled me. I am not sure I get them. I would have loved to see some technology matrices to understand how all the modelling advice translates into practice…maybe next time?

Heijungs, R., Allacker, K., Benetto, E., Brandão, M., Guinée, J., Schaubroeck, S., Schaubroeck, T., Zamagni, A., 2021. System Expansion and Substitution in LCA: A Lost Opportunity of ISO 14044 Amendment 2. Front. Sustain. 2, 40–40. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frsus.2021.692055

Guinée, J., Heijungs, R., 2021. Waste is not a service. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 26, 1538–1540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-021-01955-5

 

Carbon accounting

We can’t do without a Nature paper in this list can we? And also something not LCA related. This is both things plus very illuminating. Take home message: reduce emissions directly forget offsets and negative emissions techs.

Zickfeld, K., Azevedo, D., Mathesius, S., Matthews, H.D., 2021. Asymmetry in the climate–carbon cycle response to positive and negative CO2 emissions. Nat. Clim. Change 11, 613–617. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-01061-2

 

Happy end of 2021

🍾🍾🍾

Looking forward to new insightful reads in 2022.