Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Life Cycle Impact Assessment pp 39–50Cite as

Climate Change

  • Chapter

Abstract

Climate change is defined as the warming of the climate system due to human activities. Emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which cause an increase in radiative forcing, is the main contributor, and the only climate forcing agent currently considered in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methodologies. The direct consequence is an increase in the temperature of atmosphere and oceans, which leads to several types of higher-level impacts such as sea level rise, extreme meteorological events and perturbations in rainfalls, which in turn cause damages to human health and ecosystem quality. All the LCIA methodologies use GWPs (Global Warming Potentials), developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as midpoint characterisation factors since they are based on state-of-the art and peer-reviewed publications and have a relatively low associated uncertainty. Some LCIA methodologies also propose endpoint characterisation factors. However, these factors are considered highly uncertain because of the complexity of the impact pathway so that further research is still needed to improve robustness of the models. Recent new developments are addressing the accounting of biogenic CO2 emissions, the timing of GHG emissions, and the development of characterisation factors for terrestrial albedo changes induced by human activities.

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

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baker-Austin C, Trinanes JA, Taylor NGH, Siitonen A, Martinez-Urtaza J (2013) Emerging Vibrio risk at high latitudes in response to ocean warming. Nat Clim Chang 3:73–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bare JC, Norris GA, Pennington DW, McKone TE (2003) TRACI: the tool for the reduction and assessment of chemical and other environmental impacts. J Ind Ecol 6:49–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernier PY, Desjardins RL, Karimi-Zindashty Y, Worth D, Beaudoin A, Luo Y et al (2011) Boreal lichen woodlands: a possible negative feedback to climate change in eastern North America. Agric Meteorol 151:521–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betts RA (2000) Offset of the potential carbon sink from boreal forestation by decreases in surface albedo. Nature 408:187–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brandão M, Levasseur A (2011) Assessing temporary carbon storage in life cycle assessment and carbon footprinting: outcomes of an expert workshop. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandão M, Levasseur A, Kirschbaum MUF, Weidema BP, Cowie AL, Jørgensen SV et al (2013) Key issues and options in accounting for carbon sequestration and temporary storage in life cycle assessment and carbon footprinting. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18:230–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BSI (2008) PAS 2050 (2008) Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherubini F, Peters GP, Berntsen T, Stromman AH, Hertwich E (2011) CO2 emissions from biomass combustion for bioenergy: atmospheric decay and contribution to global warming. GCB Bioenergy 3:413–426

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clift R, Brandão M (2008) Carbon storage and timing of emissions. CES working papers, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey, Surrey

    Google Scholar 

  • Confalonieri U, Menne B, Akhtar R, Ebi KL, Hauengue M, Kovats RS et al (2007) Human health. In: Parry ML, Canziani OF, Palutikof JP, van der Linden PJ, Hanson CE (eds) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of working group II to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • De Schryver AM, Brakkee KW, Goedkoop MJ, Huijbregts MAJ (2009) Characterization factors for global warming in life cycle assessment based on damages to humans and ecosystems. Environ Sci Technol 43:1689–1695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission – Joint Research Centre – Institute for Environment and Sustainability (2010) International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) handbook – general guide for life cycle assessment – detailed guidance. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission – Joint Research Centre – Institute for Environment and Sustainability (2011) International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) handbook – recommandations for life cycle impact assessment in the European context. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Fearnside PM (2002) Why a 100-year time horizon should be used for global warming mitigation calculations. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 7:19–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forster P, Ramaswamy V, Artaxo P, Berntsen T, Betts R, Fahey DW et al (2007) Changes in atmospheric constituents and in radiative forcing. In: Solomon S, Quin D, Manning M, Chen Z, Marquis M, Averyt KB et al (eds) Climate change 2007: the physical science basic. Contribution of working group I to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuglestvedt JS, Shine KP, Berntsen T, Cook J, Lee DS, Stenke A et al (2010) Transport impacts on atmosphere and climate: metrics. Atmos Environ 44:4648–4677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goedkoop M, Heijungs R, Huijbregts M, De Schryver A, Struijs J, van Zelm R (2009) ReCiPe 2008. A life cycle impact assessment method which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanafiah MM, Xenopoulos MA, Pfister S, Leuven RSEW, Huijbregts MAJ (2011) Characterization factors for water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions based on freshwater fish species extinction. Environ Sci Technol 45:5272–5278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hauschild M, Potting J (2005) Spatial differentiation in life cycle impact assessment – the EDIP 2003 methodology. Danish Ministry of the Environment, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Howarth RW, Santoro R, Ingraffea A (2011) Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations. Clim Chang 106:679–690

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humbert S, Margni M, Jolliet O (2005) Impact 2002+: user guide. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2007) Changes in atmospheric constituents and in radiative forcing. In: Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2013) In: Stocker TF, Qin D, Plattner GK, Tignor M, Allen SK, Boschung J 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/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2014) In: Field CB, Barros VR, Dokken DJ, Mach KJ, Mastrandea MD, Bilir TE et al (eds) Climate change 2014 – impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Part A: global and sectoral aspects. Contribution of working group II to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Joos F, Prentice IC, Sitch S, Meyer R, Hooss G, Plattner GK et al (2001) Global warming feedbacks on terrestrial carbon uptake under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission scenarios. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 15:891–907

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joos F, Roth R, Fuglestvedt JS, Peters GP, Enting IG, von Bloh W et al (2013) Carbon dioxide and climate impulse response functions for the computation of greenhouse gas metrics: a multi-model analysis. Atmos Chem Phys 13:2793–2825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen SV, Hauschild MZ (2013) Need for relevant timescales when crediting temporary carbon storage. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18:747–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall A, Chang B, Sharpe B (2009) Accounting for time-dependent effects in biofuel life cycle greenhouse gas emissions calculations. Environ Sci Technol 43:7142–7147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kløverpris J, Mueller S (2013) Baseline time accounting: considering global land use dynamics when estimating the climate impact of indirect land use change caused by biofuels. Int J Life Cycle Assess 18:319–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levasseur A, Lesage P, Margni M, Deschênes L, Samson R (2010) Considering time in LCA: dynamic LCA and its application to global warming impact assessments. Environ Sci Technol 44:3169–3174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levasseur A, Lesage P, Margni M, Brandão M, Samson R (2012a) Assessing temporary carbon sequestration and storage projects through land use, land-use change and forestry: comparison of dynamic life cycle assessment with ton-year approaches. Clim Chang 115:759–776

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levasseur A, Lesage P, Margni M, Samson R (2012b) Biogenic carbon and temporary storage addressed with dynamic life cycle assessment. J Ind Ecol 17:117–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li T, Horton RM, Kinney PL (2013) Projections of seasonal patterns in temperature-related deaths for Manhattan, New York. Nat Clim Chang 3:717–721. doi:10.1038/nclimate1902

  • Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (2010) Massachusetts biomass sustainability and carbon policy study: report to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. In: Walter T (ed). Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Brunswick

    Google Scholar 

  • McMichael AJ, Woodruff RE, Hales S (2006) Climate change and human health: present and future risks. Lancet 367:859–869

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meinshausen M (2005) Emission and concentration implications of long-term climate targets. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich

    Google Scholar 

  • Muñoz I, Campra P, Fernandez-Alba AR (2010) Including CO2-emission equivalence of changes in land surface albedo in life cycle assessment. Methodology and case study on greenhouse agriculture. Int J Life Cycle Assess 15:672–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray CJL, Lopez AD (1996) The global burden of disease: a comprehensive assessment of mortality and disability from diseases, injuries, and risk factors in 1990 and projected to 2020, vol 1, Global burden of disease and injury series. Harvard School of Public Health, World Bank, World Health Organisation

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Hare M, Plevin RJ, Martin JI, Jones AD, Kendall A, Hopson E (2009) Proper accounting for time increases crop-based biofuels’ greenhouse gas deficit versus petroleum. Environ Res Lett 4:024001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patz JA, Campbell-Lendrum D, Holloway T, Foley JA (2005) Impact of regional climate change on human health. Nature 438:310–317

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peters GP, Aamaas B, Lund MT, Solli C, Fuglestvedt JS (2011) Alternative “global warming” metrics in life cycle assessment: a case study with existing transportation data. Environ Sci Technol 45:8633–8641

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pingoud K, Ekholm T, Savolainen I (2011) Global warming potential factors and warming payback time as climate indicators of forest biomass use. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 17:369–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwaiger HP, Bird DN (2010) Integration of albedo effects caused by land use change into the climate balance: should we still account in greenhouse gas units? For Ecol Manag 260:278–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shindell DT, Faluvegi G, Koch DM, Schmidt GA, Unger N, Bauer SE (2009) Improved attribution of climate forcing to emissions. Science 326:716–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shine KP (2009) The global warming potential – the need of an interdisciplinary retrial. Clim Chang 96:467–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shine KP, Fuglestvedt JS, Hailemariam K, Stuber N (2005) Alternatives to the global warming potential for comparing climate impacts of emissions of greenhouse gases. Clim Chang 68:281–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steen B (1999) A systematic approach to environmental priority strategies in product development (EPS). Version 2000 – models and data of the default method. Centre for Environmental Assessment of Products and Material Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas CD, Cameron A, Green RE, Blakkenes M, Beaumont LJ, Collingham YC et al (2004) Extinction risk from climate change. Nature 427:145–148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Udo de Haes HA, Jolliet O, Finnveden G, Hauschild MZ, Krewitt W, Müller-Wenk R (1999) Best available practice regarding impact categories and category indicators in life cycle impact assessment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 4:66–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2003) In: McMichael AJ, Campbell-Lendrum DH, Corvalán CF, Ebi KL, Githeko AK, Scheraga JD et al (eds) Climate change and human health: risks and responses. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, stn Centre-ville, 6079, Montréal, QC, H3C 3A7, Canada

    Annie Levasseur

Authors
  1. Annie Levasseur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annie Levasseur .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark

    Michael Z. Hauschild

  2. Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Mark A.J. Huijbregts

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Levasseur, A. (2015). Climate Change. In: Hauschild, M., Huijbregts, M. (eds) Life Cycle Impact Assessment. LCA Compendium – The Complete World of Life Cycle Assessment. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9744-3_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation