Methods for Modular Integrated Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment

生命周期评估（LCA）越来越需要支持私营部门的供应链要求，遵守监管披露和内容要求，并获得第三方可持续性认证。虽然生命周期评估是减少环境影响的一个工具，但它正日益成为市场准入的一个先决条件。我的研究计划的重点是扩大LCA的范围，整合LCA数据和方法，并使LCA民主化。本研究提案将通过开发模块化、集成化的混合LCA的框架和计算结构来支持我的研究计划的目标。混合LCA模型使用过程级数据来提供系统和输入输出（IO）数据（通常是行业平均数据）的某些组件的详细分析，以填补详细数据不可用的空白。集成的混合LCA模型，计算集成的过程和IO为基础的数据，已经开发和提出了一些具体的案例研究。目前尚不清楚这些研究中是否有建模组件的计算集成。这些模式都没有被普遍使用。我和我的同事最近开发并操作了一个综合的混合LCA模型，供一般使用。它允许用户输入他们自己的详细的基于过程的数据，使用过程数据的活动包括在模型中，并依赖于行业平均数据时，详细的数据是不可用的。随着我们将更多的流程、经济和影响评估方法纳入模型，它将变得越来越复杂。对于不遵循传统LCA模型的生命周期清单数据或生命周期影响评估方法，尤其如此。此外，将组织的环境（或其他）数据集成到集成混合LCA模型中的能力将扩大其有用性和准确性。新兴的影响评估方法和组织数据的结构通常与基于流程或IO的生命周期评估数据不同。需要可扩展和灵活的方法来集成混合LCA。拟议的研究将开发一个框架和计算结构，将过程级，基于IO的，影响评估和其他相关数据作为模块纳入一个模块化的集成混合LCA模型。为了测试这种方法，一个基于过程的数据集，一个行业特定的数据集，和一个新的影响评估方法将使用加拿大的数据，并纳入模块化的综合混合LCA模型。基于过程的数据集将侧重于加拿大的能源和运输;特定行业的数据集将侧重于加拿大的航空航天业;新的影响评估方法将侧重于对职业健康和安全的影响。由此产生的方法将以加拿大工业界和决策者可以使用的形式传播。

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly required to support private-sector supply-chain requirements, comply with regulatory disclosure and content requirements, and obtain third-party sustainability certifications. While LCA has been a tool for reducing environmental impact, it is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for market access. My research program is focused on expanding the scope of LCA, integrating LCA data and methods, and democratizing LCA. This research proposal will support the goals of my research program by developing a framework and computational structure for modular, integrated hybrid LCA.Hybrid LCA models use process-level data to provide a detailed analysis of some components of a system and input-output (IO) data, generally industry average data, to fill gaps where detailed data is not available. Integrated hybrid LCA models, which computationally integrate process- and IO-based data, have been developed and presented for a number of specific case studies. It's not clear if the modeling components were computationally integrated in these studies. None of these models have been operationalized for general use. My colleagues and I recently developed and operationalized an integrated hybrid LCA model for general use. It allows a user to input their own detailed process-based data as available, use process-data for activities included in the model, and rely on industry average data when detailed data is not available. As we incorporate more processes, economies, and impact assessments methods into the model, it will become increasingly more complex. This is especially true for life cycle inventory data or life cycle impact assessment methods that don't follow the traditional LCA mold. In addition, the ability to integrate an organization's environmental (or other) data into an integrated hybrid LCA model would expand its usefulness and accuracy. Emerging impact assessment methods and organizational data are often structured differently than process- or IO-based LCA data. Scalable and flexible approaches for integrated hybrid LCA are needed. The proposed research will develop a framework and computational structure that treats process-level, IO-based, impact assessment, and other relevant data as modules to be incorporated into a modular integrated hybrid LCA model. To test the approach, a process-based dataset, an industry-specific dataset, and a novel impact assessment method will be developed using Canadian data and incorporated into the modular integrated hybrid LCA model. The process-based dataset will focus on energy and transportation in Canada; the industry-specific dataset will focus on the Canadian aerospace and aviation industry; and the novel impact assessment method will focus on impacts to occupational health and safety. The resulting methods will be disseminated in a format that can be used by Canadian industry and policy-makers.