Analyzing the suitability of LCIA methods to foster the most beneficial food loss and waste prevention action in terms of environmental sustainability
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Other documents of the author: Domingo-Morcillo, Elena; Escrig-Olmedo, Elena; Rivera-Lirio, Juana M.; Muñoz-Torres, María Jesus
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Title
Analyzing the suitability of LCIA methods to foster the most beneficial food loss and waste prevention action in terms of environmental sustainabilityAuthor (s)
Date
2024-06Publisher
ElsevierBibliographic citation
Domingo-Morcillo, E., Escrig-Olmedo, E., Rivera-Lirio, J. M., & Muñoz-Torres, M. J. (2024). Analyzing the suitability of LCIA methods to foster the most beneficial food loss and waste prevention action in terms of environmental sustainability. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 107, 107575.Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/articleVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionSubject
Abstract
The food value chain is responsible for significant environmental and resource pressures. 14% of the total food
produced in the EU is lost or wasted along the supply chain (FAO, 2019) and 19% is disposed of when ... [+]
The food value chain is responsible for significant environmental and resource pressures. 14% of the total food
produced in the EU is lost or wasted along the supply chain (FAO, 2019) and 19% is disposed of when reaching
the consumption stage (UNEP, 2024). Therefore, to tackle the problem of food loss and waste (FLW), it is crucial
to make the agri-food system sustainable. Adopting a life cycle approach to measure and assess the impacts
created by FLW prevention actions is key to achieving this transition. This paper provides a detailed mapping
study of EU projects that previously dealt with the issue of FLW prevention and compiles the LCIA methods that
were used to conduct their environmental assessments. Two essential requirements are set to evaluate the
suitability of the identified LCIA methods to detect the most beneficial FLW prevention and reduction (FLWPR)
action in terms of environmental sustainability. Results show that the Environmental Footprint v3.0 method (EF
v3.0) is the LCIA method that better meets these requirements. To shed light on its suitability, this paper uses the
EF v3.0 method to make a comparative LCA of two specific hypothetical FLWPR actions concerning the fresh
tomato value chain. Moreover, this study highlights the strengths of this LCIA method and explores pathways to
overcome possible shortcomings. The outputs of this study represent an academic breakthrough in the field of
FLWPR by addressing the requirements for guiding the selection of a method that enhances comparability be-
tween FLWPR actions and provides science-based tools that can help decision-makers follow a path to a more
sustainable agri-food system. [-]
Is part of
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2024, 107Funder Name
Horizon Europe
Project code
101059849
Project title or grant
TONOWASTE-Towards a new zero food waste mindset based on holistic assessment
Investigation project
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/HorizonEurope/101059849Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess