Chalmers Conferences, LCM 2013

A UNIVERSAL FOOTPRINT DEFINITION: A CRITICAL NEXT STEP TO SUPPORT WIDESPREAD COMMUNICATION OF LCA DATA
Bradley Ridoutt, Stephan Pfister

Last modified: 2013-06-28

Abstract


Life cycle assessment has traditionally been used to support professional decision-making where an LCA expert usually assists with interpretation of the complex impact category indicator results, potential trade-offs and uncertainties. This has changed with the emergence of footprint-style indicators which are often communicated widely to an audience which is remote, largely non-technical, and unable to benefit from first hand support
in interpretation. To support the emergence of coherent footprint indicators based on LCA, we argue the need for a universal footprint definition. Specifically, footprints should not be viewed as simply new names for existing impact category indicators based on the Area of Protection paradigm, but rather as indicators which address specific environmental concerns of broad community interest.

Keywords


footprint family; product environmental footprint; environmental labeling

References


Čuček L, Klemes JJ, Kravanja Z. 2012. A review of footprint analysis tools for monitoring impacts on
sustainability. J. Clean. Prod. 34, 9-20.

Fang K, Heijungs R, de Snoo G. 2013. The footprint family: comparison and interaction of the ecological,
energy, carbon and water footprints. Rev. Metall. 110, 77-86.

Finkbeiner M. 2009. Carbon footprint – opportunities and threats. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 14, 91-94.

Galli A, Wiedmann T, Ercin E, Knoblauch D, Ewing B, Giljum S. 2012. Integrating ecological, carbon and
water footprint into a “Footprint Family” of indicators: Definition and role in tracking human pressure on the
planet. Ecol. Indic. 16, 100-112.

Goedkoop M, Heijungs R, Huijbregts M, De Schryver A, Struijs J, van Zelm R. 2009. ReCiPe 2008: A life cycle impact assessment method which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level, 1st ed. Ruimte en Milieu, Ministerie van Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieubeheer, The Netherlands.

ISO 14040. 2006. Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework.
International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva, Switzerland.

ISO 14044. 2006. Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines.
International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva, Switzerland.

Niccolucci V, Rugani B, Botto S, Gaggi C. 2010. An integrated footprint based approach for environmental
labeling of products: The case of drinking bottled water. Int. J. Design Nat. Ecodynamics 1, 68-75.

Ridoutt BG, Pfister S. 2013a. A new water footprint calculation method integrating consumptive and degradative
water use into a single stand-alone weighted indicator. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 18, 204-207.

Ridoutt BG, Pfister S. 2013b. Towards an integrated family of footprint indicators. J. Ind. Ecol. DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12026.

Weidema BP, Thrane M, Christensen P, Schmidt J, Løkke S. 2008. Carbon footprint. A catalyst for life cycle assessment? J. Ind. Ecol. 12, 3-6.


Full Text: PDF