Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
As mentioned above, there are many possible reference systems
connected to a particular 'general goal' such as assessing the
environmental effects of the production of a bioenergy carrier. The
reference system thus depends on the more exact phrasing of the question
on which the LCA is based. Figure 8.3 gives several examples for different
options regarding an LCA for RME in comparison to diesel from fossil
resources.
From this it becomes clear that in order to establish an appropriate
reference system it is necessary to describe the relevant scenario very
precisely. This includes information on which products are to be grown on
which areas and how the respective equivalent products are to be obtained.
If such information is not given, in theory the LCA could be carried out
using
any
feasible, but not necessarily realistic, scenario - which would
inhibit a fruitful discussion about the actual environmental impacts of a
given product.
Figure 8.3 also indicates that the chain of land use changes always
ends either with set aside or natural fallow land (such as rain forest) or
some other land use which does not lead to the production of an economic
commodity.
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