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Attributional and consequential LCA in the ILCD handbook

  • COMMENTARY AND DISCUSSION ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

This discussion article aims to highlight two problematic aspects in the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook: its guidance to the choice between attributional and consequential modeling and to the choice between average and marginal data as input to the life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis.

Methods

We analyze the ILCD guidance by comparing different statements in the handbook with each other and with previous research in this area.

Results and discussion

We find that the ILCD handbook is internally inconsistent when it comes to recommendations on how to choose between attributional and consequential modeling. We also find that the handbook is inconsistent with much of previous research in this matter, and also in the recommendations on how to choose between average and marginal data in the LCI.

Conclusions

Because of the inconsistencies in the ILCD handbook, we recommend that the handbook be revised.

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Acknowledgments

Tomas Ekvall and Tomas Ryberg acknowledge the financial support provided for the writing of this article by the Swedish Research Council Formas and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency through the Foundation for IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (SIVL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, PO Box 5302, 400 14, Göteborg, Sweden

    Tomas Ekvall & Tomas Rydberg

  2. The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Adisa Azapagic

  3. KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    Göran Finnveden

  4. Aalborg University, Skibbrogade 5, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Bo P. Weidema

  5. Ecoinnovazione, Via Guido Rossa 26, 35020, Ponte San Nicolò, Italy

    Alessandra Zamagni

Authors
  1. Tomas Ekvall
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  2. Adisa Azapagic
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  3. Göran Finnveden
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  4. Tomas Rydberg
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  5. Bo P. Weidema
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  6. Alessandra Zamagni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tomas Ekvall.

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Responsible editor: Mary Ann Curran

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Ekvall, T., Azapagic, A., Finnveden, G. et al. Attributional and consequential LCA in the ILCD handbook. Int J Life Cycle Assess 21, 293–296 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-1026-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-1026-0

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