Local Systems, Global Impacts: Using Life Cycle Assessment to Analyse the Potential and Constraints of Industrial Symbioses (Paikalliset Systeemit, Globaalit Vaikutukset: Elinkaariarviointi Teollisen Symbioosin Arvioinnissa)

摘要

The aim of this study was to analyse the environmental performance of an industrial symbiosis based on pulp and paper production, taking into account life cycle impacts as well. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool for quantitatively and systematically evaluating the environmental aspects of a product, technology or service throughout its whole life cycle. Moreover, the Natural Step Sustainability Principles formed a conceptual framework for assessing the environmental performance of the case study symbiosis (Paper I). The environmental performance of the case study symbiosis was compared to four counterfactual reference scenarios in which the actors of the symbiosis operated on their own. The research methods used were process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) (Papers II and III) and hybrid LCA, which combines both process and input/output LCA (Paper IV).