Critical analysis of life cycle inventory datasets for organic crop production systems

• DOI: 10.1007/s11367-022-02044-x
• Publication Date: 2022-04-20T09:06:22Z
• Authors: Erica Montemayor; Edilene Pereira A...; August Bonmatí; Assumpció Antón
• Keywords: Life cycle inventory; Inventory analysis

Abstract Purpose Organic agriculture (OA) has gained widespread popularity due to its view as a more sustainable method of farming. Yet OA and conventional (CA) can be found have similar or varying environmental performance using tools such life cycle assessment (LCA). However, the current state LCA does not accurately reflect effects OA; thus aim present study was identify gaps in inventory stage suggest improvements. Methods This article presents for first time critical analysis (LCI) state-of-the-art organic crop LCIs from recommended databases ecoinvent AGRIBALYSE®. The these limitations on results were analyzed detailed ways improve upon them proposed. Results discussion Through this analysis, unrepresentative plant protection product (PPP) manufacturing fertilizer treatment inventories main background processes, either lack available usage statistics, exclusion study, use proxies. Many used synthetic pesticide mineral proxies, which may indirectly contain prohibited chemicals. effect proxies contribute between 4–78% resource energy-related impact categories. In foreground PPP emission models utilized by AGRIBALYSE® well adapted organic-authorized inputs simplified modeling assumptions. These aspects transferred respective LCAs that data, potentially yielding relevant To accuracy novel data scientific community, new created few missing PPPs, recommendations precise PPPs fertilizers. Conclusions findings add much needed transparency regarding LCIs, offers guidance how make representative, allow accurate comparisons OA, help practitioners better adapt methodology systems.