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UNIPD > Environmental Strategic Management > Flashcards

Environmental Strategic Management Flashcards

1
Q

What is called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

A

Compilation and evaluation of input, output and the potential environmental impact of a product system throughout his life cycle

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2
Q

What is the general structure of the life cycle assessment tools?

A

1] Goal and scope definition
Determine the function of the system and the boundaries of the analysis.

2] Inventory analysis
Mass and energy balance, data from literature review, data from databases.

3] Impact Assessment
Translate inventory flows into potential environmental impact.

In parallel and for each step => interpretation:

Identify relevant aspects, discuss assumptions and draw conclusions.

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3
Q

What should be identifie when the goal is defined in the LCA?

A

Be unambiguously stated:
— the intended application;
— the reasons for carrying out the study:
— the intended audience, i.e. to whom the results of the study are intended to
be communicated:
— whether the results are intended to be used in comparative assertions
intended to be disclosed to the public.

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4
Q

What is a product system?

A

A collection of unit processes with elementary and product flows, performing one or more defined functions, and which models the life cycle of a product.

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5
Q

Define what is a unit process.

A

The smallest element considered in the life cycle inventory analysis for which input and output data are quantified

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6
Q

Define what is an elementary flow.

A

The material or energy entering the system being studied that has been drawn from the environment without previous human transformation, or material or energy leaving the system being studied that is released into the environment without subsequent human transformation.
It’s the first or the last flow in direct contact with environment

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7
Q

What is a functional unit?

A

It’s a quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit.

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8
Q

How is define the reference flow?

A

It’s a measure of the outputs from processes in a given product system required to fulfil the function expressed by the functional unit.

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9
Q

How is define a functional unit? (4 aspects)

A

What : Why do the product/system understudy exist? What is it meant to deliver

How much: What is (are) the quantity (ies) that represent the function(s)

How well: What is the performance of the product? How the functions filfilled?

For how long: For how long do the product keep the functionality?

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10
Q

What are the three different main type of system boundaries definition?

A

Gate to gate
Cradle to grave
Cradle to gate

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11
Q

Define the “Cradle to Grave” system boundaries.

A

Encompasses all the life cycle of the products.

Example: coffee production.

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12
Q

Define the “Cradle to Gate” system boundaries.

A

From the raw material to the output of a specific stage of the cycle such as production.

Example: steel production

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13
Q

Define the “Gate to gate” system boundaries.

A

Only production processes are considered.

Example: Hot rolling

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14
Q

Which limitation should be considered in the definition of the boundaries?

A

1_ Functional limitation
2_ Territorial limitation
3_ Temporal limitation
4_ Cutt-off Rules

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15
Q

What is called Attributional approach?

A

When you select a function and study the burden of the product system to that function.

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16
Q

What is called Consequential approach?

A

Include the functions and study the burden of the entire product system. This include the Selection of primary and secondary services. Study the rebounds effects.

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17
Q

Define what is an allocation.

A

Partitioning (split) the input or output flows of a process or a product system between the product system under study and one or more other product systems.

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18
Q

What sort of flows (having an impact) the impact assessment methodology takes into account?

A

All the significant environmental impacts.
Example: gaz (SO2, CO2), molecules (pesticides), liquids (groundwater), solid (CrVI)

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19
Q

Give three examples of area of protection (expressed at endpoint)

A

Human health
Ecosystem quality
Resources
Global warming

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20
Q

Their is 9 different categories of impact (area of concern) assessments. What are these? What are their units

A

1_ Climate change [kg CO2 eq]
2_ Respiratory inorganic [Disease incidence]
3_ Acidification [mol H+ eq]
4_ Eutrophication, terrestrial [mol N eq]
5_ Eutrophication, marine [kg N eq]
6_ Ecotoxicity freshwater [CTUe]
7_ Land use [Dimensionless (pt)]
8_ Water scarcity [m3 world equivalent]
9_ Resource use, fossils [MJ]

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21
Q

What is water scarcity?

A

It’s a measure of the pressure of the consumption of water on the availability of local resources.

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22
Q

What is the eutrophication potential?

A

It’s a measure of the potential effects of the release of macro nutrients such as N and P on air, soil and water.

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23
Q

What is called “abiotic depletion potential of the elements?

A

The depletion is the consumption of a resource faster than it is replenished.
The abiotic depletion measure the use of metals, minerals.

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24
Q

What is a critical review?

A

The critical review is a process to ensure consistency between a life cycle assessments and requirements and principles of the ISO

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25
Q

What is the difference between comparative and comparison assertions?

A

Comparative compare two product aspects (same units) and comparison compare two products.

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26
Q

What is the inventory analysis?

A

Acquisition of relevant input and output of the product system. Also called input/output approach.

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27
Q

What are the three levels of precision of datas?

A

Primary: measured on processes
Secondary: literature
Tertiary: from estimation

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28
Q

What is the name of the international standard for LCA?

A

ISO 14044

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29
Q

What LCIA means?

A

Life Cycle Impact Assessment

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30
Q

What are the phases of an LCIA?

A

1) Selection of the impact categories, category indicators and characterization model

2) Assessment of LCI results to the selected impact categories

3) Calculation of category indicators results

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31
Q

Where are listed the different categories of impact assessments?

A

In the EU product Environmental Footprint Category Guidance (2018)

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32
Q

What are the mandatory steps of the LCIA?

A

Step of classification
Step of Characterization

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33
Q

What are the non-mandatory steps of the LCIA?

A

Optimal LCIA could add two more steps than the mandatory (classification, characterization)
Which are:

Step of normalization
Step of grouping and weighting

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34
Q

What is the classification step?

A

It consists in grouping the differents flow by impact categories. One flow can be counted in different categories.

Example : CO2 can be classified in global warming category.

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35
Q

What is the characterization step?

A

It consists in calculating the value of the indicator. The calculation methods are identified and documented.

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36
Q

Define “Exposure analysis”

A

Probability for a flow to react with the environment

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37
Q

Define “Fate analysis”.

A

Probability for a flow to be released.

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38
Q

Define “Effect analysis”.

A

Magnitude of the consequences linked to the release of a flow.

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39
Q

Define “Damage analysis”.

A

Damage to the area of protection concerned by a flow released.

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40
Q

What the normalization step consists in? What does it permit?

A

Normalize the impact to a standard reference and related to the specific impact assessments category understudy.

It permits to get an idea of the magnitude of the impact
It allows the following weighting step

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41
Q

What is the grouping and weighting step?

A

Grouping: class by area of protection do the category contribute to

Weighting: attributing a numerical value.

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42
Q

What is not allows to do with ISO 14044:2006 about weighting?

A

Weighting is not allows in studies leading to comparative assertions intended to be disclosed to the public.

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43
Q

What are the three bonus steps in the impact assessment relative to the data quality?

A

1) gravity analysis
2) uncertainty analysis
3) Sensitivity analysis

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44
Q

What is a gravity analysis?

A

(Pareto analysis)
What is the statistical procedure that identify the greatest contribution to the indicator results.

These items may be investigated with increasing priority to ensure that sound decisions are made

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45
Q

Define “uncertainty analysis”

A

Is a procedure to determine how uncertainties in data and assumptions progress in the calculations and how they affect reliability of the result of the LCIA.

46
Q

Define “Sensivity analysis”.

A

It’s a procedure to determine how changes in data and methodological choices affects the results of the LCIA.

47
Q

In the context of the sensitive analysis, what is called avoided burden?

A

Avoided burden is an approach used in LCA,Especially in the context of allocating environmental burden in the presence of recycling or reuse. When determining zip over wall environmental impact of the product the product is given credit for the potential recycled material included

48
Q

In the context of sensitive analysis, what is called recycled content approach?

A

Distance boundaries are drawn between systems producing and using recycled materials. This initial system is assigned all virgin production burdens for the materials. The user system (2nd system) burdens begin with collection and reprocessing of post consumer material.

49
Q

Quote a method used for uncertainty analysis.

A

Monte Carlo analysis
• Each parameter take a random value in a range
• Distribution and intervals are determine using primary data collection
• the base case is assessed and modeled.
• the data used in the base case are than changed within their interval and according to their own distribution for a certain number of iterations.

50
Q

What uncertainty analysis permits to add in the LCA?

A

Data uncertainty
Method uncertainty
Values choice uncertainty
Lack of knowledge uncertainty

51
Q

What is the structure of the “interpretation” step of the normalize LCA?

A

1) do the result answer to the goal of the study ?
Yes -> conclusion and recommendations
No ->
• Redo the concerned step

• identification of significant factors

• evaluation (completeness, sensitive, consistency checks)

52
Q

What is the aim of the completeness check?

A

Investigate data and knowledge gaps. Their effect on results are discussed and conclusion drawn.

53
Q

What is the aim of the sensitivity check?

A

Sensitive analysis and uncertainty analysis are discussed and conclusion are drawn.

54
Q

What is the aim of the consistency check?

A

It’s an investigation of the consistency of assumptions and method in order to
Eventually arrange them.

55
Q

What is the goal of the interpretation step in the LCA?
What are the 3 possible checks?

A

The aim is to drawn conclusion, give recommendations and drawn future perspectives by using:
• completeness check
• sensitivity check
• consistency check

56
Q

How to avoid allocation?

A

1) By dividing the unit process to be allocated into sub processes where data can be collected separately. (Reduction)

2) By expanding the product system to include additional functions related to the coproduct. (Expansion).

57
Q

What are the different type of allocation?

A

1) physical (physical units used [USI])

2) Other allocation (other units [CO2 eq, $]

58
Q

What does it called Closed loop?

A

Material from a product system is recycled in the same product system

59
Q

What does it called open loop?

A

Material from one product system is recycled in a different product system.

60
Q

Which global standard define the allocation for recycling?

A

ISO 14049
Guarantee that same procedure and hierarchy are adopted in any allocation problem.

61
Q

What are the 3 different types of recycling allocation?

A

Closed loop
Open loop (closed loop procedure)
Closed loop

62
Q

How is counted recycling in close loop?

A

It’s considered as a reduction of raw material input.

63
Q

How can be considered the recycled materials in a open loop process?

A

It can be also considered as reduction of raw material input.
It needs to be discussed and balanced if the recycled material is not equivalent to the primary one.

64
Q

What are the 3 procedures of allocation applicable in function of the attribution of the burden to each system?

A

50:50
Cut off
System expansion

65
Q

How is system product can be modeled with software?

A

Each material is the result of a precedent material transformed with energy in a process.

66
Q

What is a footprint?

A

Metric user to report life cycle assessments results addressing an area of concern

67
Q

What is an Area of concern?

A

It’s an environmental topic defined by the interest of society. It is define in the ISO 14044.

68
Q

What is a Footprint profile?

A

It’s a list of footprints addressing different area of concern.

69
Q

Quote 5 different area of concern.

A

Climate change
Ocean acidification
Biochemical flows (P/N)
Freshwater use
Land-system change
Biosphere integrity
Novel entities
Stratospheric ozone depletion
Atmospheric aerosol loading

70
Q

What are the standards for calculation of carbon footprint for global warming?

A

For product and services
ISO 14067:2018
This document doesn’t take into account social or economic aspects and impacts.

For Activities and organization:
ISO 15064 (organizational carbon footprint)

71
Q

Define Green House Gas

A

Gaseous constituent of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelength within the spectrum of infrared radiation emitted by the Earth surface, the atmosphere and clouds.

72
Q

What is CO2 equivalent unit?

A

It’s an unit for comparing the radiative forcing GHG to that carbon dioxide.

73
Q

What is called Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

A

It’s an index based in relative properties of GHGs, measuring the radiative forcing following the pulse emission of an unit mass of a given GHG in the present day atmosphere integrated over a chosen time horizon, relative to that of carbon dioxide.

74
Q

Define partial carbon footprint of a product.

A

It’s the sum of GHG emission and GHG removals of one or several process selected in a product system. It’s expressed in CO2 eq and the stage have to be define with LCA.

75
Q

Define carbonfootprint of a product in a systematic way approach.

A

It’s a set of procedure to facilitate the quantification of the CFP for product or group of product of an organization.

76
Q

What is the carbon footprint (procedure) of a product - (PCR) product category rules?

A

Set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for CFP or partial CFP quantification and communication for one or more product category.

77
Q

What is a declared unit?

A

It’s the unit of product quantity used to express the functional unit.
Example: 1m^3 of water [fct unit] by kg of tomatoes [declared unit]

78
Q

What is the precaution to take when we use declared unit?

A

Declared unit can only be used for partial CFP analysis.

79
Q

Which life cycle perspective is used for calculating full carbon footprint ?

A

From cradle to grave

80
Q

Which life cycle perspective are used for calculating partial carbon footprint ?

A

From Cradle to gate
From gate to gate

81
Q

Which life cycle perspective are used for calculating systematic carbon footprint ?

A

Cradle to grave
Cradle to gate
Gate to gate

82
Q

What are the objectives of the carbon footprint study applied to a system?

A

Allows a company to perform CFP studies and punblishe them without having each study to undergounder critical review. It is the system that is reviewed once a year.

83
Q

What is the goal of the carbon footprint calculation comparing to a LCA study?

A

The overall goal of CFP is to calculate the potential contribution of a product to global warming without cut-off criteria and by counting every GHG emission.
The objective of the study guide the purpose of the quantification and the use of CF study results.

84
Q

What are the PCR (product category rules)?

A

Where relevant PCR or CFP-PCR exist, they shall be adopted.
They are developed in accordance with ISO/TS 14027 or other sector-specific international standard compliant with ISO14044.
They are considered proper by the organization applying this document and are in accordance with the principles of the standard.

85
Q

What are the specifities of the inventory analysis in CFP study?

A

The same approach and procedure of iso14040-44 for data collection applies.

Only data referred to GHG emission are applied

Double counting shall be avoided

86
Q

What GHG should be included and removed of the CFP?

A

Fossil GHG and removals shall be included and documented separately as a net result.

Biogenetic GHG emissions and removals shall be included and expressed separately

When biogenic carbon is stored into the product, for a specific time, this carbon shall be treated in accordance with timing clause. It should be calculated separately and not be included in the Full or partial CFP.

87
Q

What are the aspects lost in CFP comparing to LCA

A

I have only one impact category and therefore I cannot make a comprehensive environmental assessments

Having only one impact category all of the elements and flows will be classified into one impact assessment category

I obviously can’t make the grouping and weighting.

I cannot develop comparative assertions As long as I am not compare and see if that I can make comparisons. 

88
Q

How is estimated impact of carbon footprint?

A

By multiplying the mass of greenhouse gases released and removed by 100 years gas warming potential given by IPCC in the units of kilograms CO2 equivalent per kilogram emission 

89
Q

What’s the difference btw TS&standard?

A

Based on consensus (needs a check in the course)

90
Q

What is the standard for water footprint?

A

ISO 14047:2014
Provides guidelines, requirements, principles for Assessments of product, process and organization based on the LCA method.

91
Q

Is all the air and soil emission are included in the ISO 14047 (WFP)?

A

No, only the emission impacting the quality of the water.

92
Q

Define “elementary water flow”

A

Water entering in a system being studied that as been drawn from the environment, or water leaving the system and release into the environment.

93
Q

Define “water use”

A

Use of a water by human activity.

94
Q

Define “Water quality”

A

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water with respect to its suitability for an intended use by humans or ecosystems.

95
Q

What is counted as consumed water?

A

• Evaporate water
• Displaced water
• Water stored into the product

96
Q

What uses of the water is called degradative?

A

Water released in output with a poorer quality that the one in input.

97
Q

What is called “water footprint”?

A

Metrics that quantifies the potential environmental impacts related to water.
Most of the time, water footprint print should be used with an other adjective in function of the study carried out.

98
Q

Define “water availability”.

A

It’s the extent to which humans and ecosystems have sufficient water resources for their needs.

99
Q

What’s “water scarcity”?

A

It’s the extent to which demand for water compares to the replenishment of water in an area without talking into account the quality.

100
Q

What shall be stated during the goal and definition step for WFP?

A

• if the study makes part of a bigger package.
• if the study makes part of a LCA
• Temporal and geographical coverage and resolution of the study
• which indicators impact should be measured.
• what is the baseline?

101
Q

What can significantly influences the quality of the result (WFP)?

A

The geographical (single basin, country, water body..?) and temporal resolution (season, month, annual average?).

102
Q

About WFP, What datas shall be considered for data collection? Quote 5

A

• Quantity of water used
• Type of water resource
• Water quality
• Forms of water use
• Changes of drainage, stream flow, ground water flow..
• Location of water used
• Temporal aspects

103
Q

What are the steps for impact assessments of WFP? How are presented the results?

A

1) Each inventory flow is classified into specific impact assessments category and characterized in order to represent the specific consequences of water use.

2) Results are presented by separating each single water footprint indicators and the general profile

104
Q

Quote 3 examples of WFP indicators.

A

Water scarcity
Water availability
Freshwater eutrophication
Marine eutrophication
Acidification
Freshwater ecotoxicity

105
Q

When can we say that a product is recyclable ?

A

When a process can recycling it.

106
Q

What is the goal of a integrated product policy ?

A

Combine lifestyles and we’ll being with environmental protection towards sustainable production and consumption.

107
Q

What’s are the principles for a solid impact assessments?

A

Life cycle thinking
Comprehensiveness
System approach

108
Q

What is the name of a design which take into account the environmental impact from the beginning?

A

Environmental conscious design (ECD)

109
Q

What are the criterium of acceptability for a LCA study?

A

• are the data:
Technologically representative
Geographically rep.
Time related rep.
Completeness
Accurate

Is the methodology appropriate?

110
Q

What’s are the critical aspects of LCA applications

A

•Value choices and subjectivity Need
•Regionalization of environmental impacts is not always possible
• Data quality significantly affect results
• Social and economic aspects are addressed in LCA

111
Q

What is a policy?

A

Framework determined by the top management, inclue definition, planning and, monitoring to reply to fixed objectives

UNIPD (4 decks)

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