Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Customised life cycle assessment tool for sugarcane (CaneLCA)—a development in the evaluation of alternative agricultural practices

  • LCA FOR AGRICULTURE
  • Published:
The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To promote eco-efficient sugarcane products, there is a need for life cycle assessment (LCA) methods that enable rapid assessment of the environmental implications of alternative agricultural practices. In response, a customised LCA method for sugarcane growing was developed and operationalized in the CaneLCA tool. The aim of the paper was to describe the CaneLCA method in detail and to test the effectiveness of the tool’s parameterisation for evaluating the environmental implications of cane growing practice alternatives.

Methods

CaneLCA (Version 1.03) was developed over 6 years (2011–2017) in conjunction with the Australian sugarcane sector. The LCA process was customised for sugarcane growing by focusing on ‘cradle to farm gate’ operations and relevant impact categories, and by parameterising practice variables. To evaluate the effectiveness of the tool, we used it to assess a case study of actual practice changes in the Wet Tropics region of Australia, in terms of the scope of practice variables and environmental implications that can be accounted for.

Results and discussion

The case study results generated by CaneLCA were consistent with those generated by past studies using LCA software. The parameterisation of practice variables allowed for all the practice changes represented in the case study to be assessed. It is suitable for evaluating such known practice alternatives, but less suited to evaluating very innovative practice alternatives, as it is constrained by the underlying algorithms and factors. Most of the environmental implications could be considered, except for effects on soil quality. This will be an area for future tool development to understand the full implications of agricultural practice change, along with the introduction of dynamic models to better estimate emissions.

Conclusions

CaneLCA makes the LCA process more rapid for evaluating alternative sugarcane growing practices, thereby speeding up progress towards devising more eco-efficient sugarcane products. It provides a model that could be adapted for other sugarcane growing regions, and for other perennial cropping systems. The novelty of the method is the detailed parameterisation of practice variables so that a wide range of alternative practices can be evaluated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. CaneLCA is available from the UniQuest eShop (http://eshop.uniquest.com.au/canelca)

References

  • Antille DL, Chamen WCT, Tullberg, JN, Lal R (2015) The potential of controlled traffic farming to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in arable land: A critical review. Transactions of the ASABE 58(3):707–731. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.58.11049

  • AusLCI (2017) AusLCI Unit Processes database, Version 1.27 edn. Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society, www.auslci.com.au

  • Basset-Mens C, van der Werf HMG, Robin P, Morvan T, Hassouna M, Paillat JM, Vertes F (2007) Methods and data for the environmental inventory of contrasting pig production systems. J Clean Prod 15(15):1395–1405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bessou C, Basset-Mens C, Latunussa C, Velu A, Heitz H, Vanniere H, Caliman JP (2016) Partial modelling of the perennial crop cycle misleads LCA results in two contrasted case studies. Int J Life Cycle Assess 21:297–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bessou C, Mary B, Léonard J, Roussel M, Gréhan E, Gabrielle B (2010) Modelling soil compaction impacts on nitrous oxide emissions in arable fields. Eur J Soil Sci 61(3):348–363. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.2010.01243.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bloesch PM, Rayment GE, Pulsford JS (1997) Regional total phosphorus budgets for sugar production in Queensland. Proc Aust Soc Sugar Cane Technol 19:213–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonsucro (2016) Bonsucro Production Standard. Version 4.01. Bonsucro Better Sugarcane Initiative, bonsucro.com/site/production-standard

  • Brankatschk G, Finkbeiner M (2015) Modeling crop rotation in agricultural LCAs—challenges and potential solutions. Agric Syst 138:66–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2015.05.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brentrup F, Kusters J, Lammel J, Kuhlmann H (2000) Methods to estimate on-field nitrogen emissions from crop production as an input to LCA studies in the agricultureal sector. Int J Life Cycle Assess 5(6):349–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978670

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman LS, Hayson MBC, Usher JF (1995) Canegrowers accept biodunder as a plant nutrient source at Mackay. Proc Aust Soc Sugar Cane Technol 17:199–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen G, Baillie C (2007) Development of EnergyCalc—a tool to assess cotton on farm energy uses. National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper JS, Noon M, Kahn E (2012) Parameterization in life cycle assessment inventory data: review of current use and the representation of uncertainty. Int J Life Cycle Assess 17:689–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DEE (2016) Australian National Greenhouse Accounts. National Inventory Report 2014. Volume 1. Department of Envirnment and Energy, Canberra

  • Dijkman T, Birkved M, Hauschild M (2012) PestLCI 2.0: a second generation model for estimating emissions of pesticides from arable land in LCA. Int J Life Cycle Assess 17:973–986

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fukushima Y, Chen SP (2009) A decision support tool for modifications in crop cultivation method based on life cycle assessment: a case study on greenhouse gas emission reduction in Taiwanese sugarcane cultivation. Int J Life Cycle Assess 14(7):639–655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-009-0100-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garrigues E, Corson MS, Angers DA, van der Werf HMG, Walter C (2012) Soil quality in life cycle assessment: towards development of an indicator. Ecol Indic 18:434–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.12.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garrigues E, Corson MS, Angers DA, van der Werf HMG, Walter C (2013) Development of a soil compaction indicator in life cycle assessment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18(7):1316–1324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-013-0586-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goglio P, Smith WN, Worth DE, Grant BB, Desjardins RL, Chen W, Tenuta M, McConkey BG, Williams A, Burgess P (2018) Development of Crop.LCA, an adaptable screening life cycle assessment tool for agricultural systems: a Canadian scenario assessment. J Clean Prod 172:3770–3780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guinee JB et al (eds) (2002) Handbook on life cycle assessment: operational guide to the ISO standards. Parts 1–3. Eco-efficiency in industry and science. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Heijungs R et al. (1992) Environmental life cycle assessment of products. Vol I: Guide and Vol. II: Backgrounds. Centre for Environmental Studies (CML), Leiden University, Leiden

  • Hellweg S, Milà i Canals L (2014) Emerging approaches, challenges and opportunities in life cycle assessment. Science 344(6188):1109–1113. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1248361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herndl M et al (2015) Abschlussbericht FarmLife. Life cycle assessment of Austrian farms. Agroscope, ww.raumberg-gumpenstein.at

  • IPCC (2006) IPCC guidelines for National Greenhouse gas Inventories. Volume 4: agriculture, forestry and other land uses. In: Eggleston HS, Buendia L, Miwa K, Ngara T, Tanabe K (eds) IGES, Japan

  • ISO (2006) ISO 14044:2006. Environmental management—Life cycle assessment—Requirements and Guidelines. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland

  • Keating BA, Carberry PS, Hammer GL, Probert ME, Robertson MJ, Holzworth D, Huth NI, Hargreaves JNG, Meinke H, Hochman Z, McLean G, Verburg K, Snow V, Dimes JP, Silburn M, Wang E, Brown S, Bristow KL, Asseng S, Chapman S, McCown RL, Freebairn DM, Smith CJ (2003) An overview of APSIM, a model designed for farming systems simulation. Eur J Agron 18(3-4):267–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(02)00108-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koellner T, de Baan L, Beck T, Brandão M, Civit B, Margni M, i Canals LM, Saad R, de Souza DM, Müller-Wenk R (2013) UNEP-SETAC guideline on global land use impact assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services in LCA. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18(6):1188–1202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-013-0579-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kounina A, Margni M, Shaked S, Bulle C, Jolliet O (2014) Spatial analysis of toxic emissions in LCA: a sub-continental nested USEtox model with freshwater archetypes. Environ Int 69:67–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masters B, Rohde K, Gurner N, Reid D (2013) Reducing the risk of herbicide runoff in sugarcane farming through controlled traffic and early-banded application. Agric Ecosyst Environ 180:29–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2012.02.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milford BJ, Pfeffer J (2002) Canegrower survey. Unpublished data. Queensland Canegrowers, Brisbane

  • Myhre G et al (2013) Anthropogenic and natural radiative forcing. In: Stocker TF et al. (eds) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press,, Cambridge and New York

  • Nemecek T, Erzinger S (2005) Modelling representative life cycle inventories for Swiss arable crops. Int J Life Cycle Assess 10(1):68–76. https://doi.org/10.1065/lca2004.09.181.8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nemecek T, Schnetzer J (2011) Methods of assessment of direct field emissions for LCIs of agricultural production systems. Data v3.0 (2012). Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART

  • Ometto AR, Hauschild MZ, Roma WNL (2009) Lifecycle assessment of fuel ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil. Int J Life Cycle Assess 14(3):236–247. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-009-0065-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ouyang D, Bartholic J (2001) Web-based GIS application for soil erosion prediction. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Soil Erosion Research for the 21st century, Honolulu, USA, 3-5 Jan

  • Page KL, Bell M, Dalal RC (2013) Changes in total soil organic carbon stocks and carbon fractions in sugarcane systems as affected by tillage and trash management in Queensland, Australia. Soil Res 51:608–614

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfister S, Koehler A, Hellweg S (2009) Assessing the environmental impacts of freshwater consumption in LCA. Environ Sci Technol 43:4098–4104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pryor SW, Smithers J, Lyne P, van Antwerpen R (2017) Impact of agricultural practices on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for South African sugarcane production. J Clean Prod 141:137–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.09.069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rebitzer G, Ekvall T, Frischknecht R, Hunkeler D, Norris G, Rydberg T, Schmidt WP, Suh S, Weidema BP, Pennington DW (2004) Life cycle assessment: part 1: framework, goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, and applications. Environ Int 30(5):701–720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2003.11.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renouf MA, Allsopp PG (2013) Development of a streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for assessing the environmental benefits of progressive sugarcane growing. Final Report—RDC Project UQ045. Volumes 1 and 2. Sugar Research and Development Corporation. https://sugarresearch.com.au/,

  • Renouf MA et al (2015) Best practice guide for life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) in Australia. Version 2. Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society, www.alcas.asn.au

  • Renouf MA, Pagan RJ, Wegener MK (2011) Life cycle assessment of Australian sugarcane products with a focus on cane processing. Int J Life Cycle Assess 16(2):125–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-010-0233-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renouf MA, Renaud-Gentie C, Perrin A, Kanyarushoki C, van der Werf H, Jourjon F (2018) Effectiveness criteria for customised agricultural life cycle assessment tools. J Clean Prod. https://doi.org/10.1016/jclepro201712170

  • Renouf MA, Schroeder BL, Price N, Allsopp PG (2014) Assessing the environmental benefits of practice change using the CaneLCA eco-efficiency calculator. Int Sugar J 116:755–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Renouf MA, Wegener MK, Pagan RJ (2010) Life cycle assessment of Australian sugarcane production with a focus on sugarcane growing. Int J Life Cycle Assess 15(9):927–937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-010-0226-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ridoutt BG, Pfister S (2010) A revised approach to water footprinting to make transparent the impacts of consumption and production on global freshwater scarcity. Glob Environ Chang (A Hum Policy Dimens) 20(1):113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rocha MH, Capaz RS, Lora EES, Nogueira LAH, Leme MMV, Renó MLG, OAd O (2014) Life cycle assessment (LCA) for biofuels in Brazilian conditions: a meta-analysis. Renew Sust Energ Rev 37:435–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.05.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum RK, Bachmann TM, Gold LS, Huijbregts MAJ, Jolliet O, Juraske R, Koehler A, Larsen HF, MacLeod M, Margni M, McKone TE, Payet J, Schuhmacher M, van de Meent D, Hauschild MZ (2008) USEtox—the UNEP-SETAC toxicity model: recommended characterisation factors for human toxicity and freshwater ecotoxicity in life cycle impact assessment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 13(7):532–546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-008-0038-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez Moore CC, Nogueira AR, Kulay L (2017) Environmental and energy assessment of the substitution of chemical fertilizers for industrial wastes of ethanol production in sugarcane cultivation in Brazil. Int J Life Cycle Assess 22(4):628–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-016-1074-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandell GR, Prestwidge DB (2004) Harvest haul model - the cost of harvesting paddocks of sugarcane across a sugar milling region. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 26:10 pp

  • Schmidt Rivera XC, Bacenetti J, Fusi A, Niero M (2017) The influence of fertiliser and pesticide emissions model on life cycle assessment of agricultural products: the case of Danish and Italian barley. Sci Total Environ 592:745–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder B et al (2008) SmartCane principles of best management practice. BSES Limited, Canegrowers and Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane

  • Silalertruksa T, Pongpat P, Gheewala SH (2017) Life cycle assessment for enhancing environmental sustainability of sugarcane biorefinery in Thailand. J Clean Prod 140:906–913

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van der Laan M, Jumman A, Perret SR (2015) Environmental benefits of improved water and nitrogen management in irrigated sugarcane: a combined crop modelling and life cycle assessment approach. Irrig Drain 64:241–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Werf HMG, Kanyarushoki C, Corson MS (2009) An operational method for the evaluation of resource use and environmental impacts of dairy farms by life cycle assessment. J Environ Manag 90:3643–3652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells C (2001) Total energy indicators of agricultural sustainability: dairy farming case study. Technical Paper 2001/3. University of Otago, Dunedin

  • Whiteing C, Giddy L, Norris C (2017) A cane loss measuring system for machine-harvest sugarcane. Int Sugar J 119:638–644

Download references

Acknowledgements

CaneLCA was developed in a project conducted by the University of Queensland (UQ) and the (then) Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations with funding from the Australian Sugar Research and Development Corporation, now subsumed into Sugar Research Australia (SRA), between July 2011 and March 2013 (Project UQ045). CaneLCA is owned by UQ and distributed via Uniquest Pty Ltd. (eshop.uniquest.com.au/canelca). We acknowledge the following people who contributed to the development of the original version: steering committee (Bianca Cairns, Bernard Milford, Jonathan Pavetto, Sharon Denny, Phil Moody and Phil Hobson), testers of the pilot version (Brad Hussey, Peter McGuire, Andrew Barfield, Ian and Di Dawes and Robert Quirk), technical input (Jeff Tullberg; Guangnan Chen; Melanie Shaw; Joe Lane; Cam Whiteing, Stéphane Guillou), interface development (Eve McDonald), tool evaluators (Michael Waring, David Sudarmana, Guangnan Chen, and others who participated anonymously).

The case study application of the tool was conducted as part of another SRA-funded project led by the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) (Project 2014/015), for which the lead author was engaged through Life Cycles Pty Ltd., and CaneLCA was used under licence from Uniquest. We acknowledge the farmers, DAF officers (Matthew Thompson and Caleb Connolly) and members of the technical steering group who provided assistance throughout the project.

The work was documented while the lead author was employed by Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures in France, as part of the FACROLCA project (Fast-tracking eco-conception in agricultural crops with streamlined environmental life cycle assessment tools), funded by the Pays de la Loire region through the Cap Aliment – Food for Tomorrow scheme. The authors also acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Marguerite A. Renouf & Nicole Price

  2. Life Cycles Pty Ltd., Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia

    Marguerite A. Renouf

  3. USC 1422 GRAPPE, Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultures (ESA)-INRA, 55 rue Rabelais, 49007, Angers, France

    Marguerite A. Renouf

  4. Queensland Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ingham, Queensland, 4850, Australia

    Mark Poggio & Alison Collier

  5. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia

    Bernard L. Schroeder

  6. Sugar Research Australia Limited, Indooroopilly, Queensland, 4068, Australia

    Bernard L. Schroeder & Peter G. Allsopp

Authors
  1. Marguerite A. Renouf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark Poggio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alison Collier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nicole Price
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bernard L. Schroeder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter G. Allsopp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marguerite A. Renouf.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Yi Yang

Bernard L. Schroeder is formerly of Sugar Research Australia

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOC 401 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Renouf, M.A., Poggio, M., Collier, A. et al. Customised life cycle assessment tool for sugarcane (CaneLCA)—a development in the evaluation of alternative agricultural practices. Int J Life Cycle Assess 23, 2150–2164 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-018-1442-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-018-1442-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation