Work

User-Friendly, Real-Time LCA Tool for Dynamic Sustainability Assessment and Support of EPD Schemes Towards Circular Bioenergy Pathways

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents FARMBENV, a user-friendly, real-time, and web-based LCA tool developed specifically for the agricultural sector, enabling dynamic environmental impact assessments and supporting Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). To demonstrate its functionality, three wheat production systems in Greece—differing in harvest frequency and the use of green manure through the addition of vetch—were assessed using primary data. Environmental impacts were calculated using a cradle-to-gate approach, with a functional unit of 1000 kg of wheat. Results from FARMBENV were validated with OpenLCA v2.4.1, confirming the tool’s accuracy. The addition of vetch in wheat production significantly reduced the Global Warming Potential (GWP), while the single-harvest systems applying green manure present better environmental sustainability performance. In addition, lab-scale experiments were conducted to process wheat residues via three waste-to-energy (WtE) pathways—pellet, biodiesel, and bioethanol production—and their environmental performance was assessed under multiple electricity sourcing scenarios. The source of electricity for the production systems is crucial for minimizing the impact on the GWP for the WtE pathways. The integration of WtE pathways and wheat production scenarios reduces the GWP by up to 49%. Overall, this study demonstrates FARMBENV’s capacity to deliver real-time, scenario-specific LCA results and highlights the potential of circular bioenergy strategies in sustainable agriculture.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17188106