Enhancing the interpretation step of territorial LCA by considering uncertainty on characterization factors and contextualizing impacts @ IFPEN

IFPEN

IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) is a major player in research and training in the fields of energy, transport, and the environment. From scientific concepts in fundamental research to technological solutions in applied research, integrating sustainability issues is one of our main challenges. In particular, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) team in the ‘Economics and Monitoring’ department is tasked with quantifying the potential environmental impacts of the solutions developed, while integrating an eco-design approach as far upstream as possible in the development phase to reduce these externalities.

PEPR SPLEEN

This post-doctoral research project is part of the LCA-SPLEEN project of the PEPR (Priority research programme and equipment) SPLEEN (https://www.pepr-spleen.fr/), which is part of the French government’s France 2030 investment plan. The “Supporting innovation to develop new, largely carbon-free industrial processes” (SPLEEN) program aims to prepare a technological offering and breakthrough solutions that will help France meet its climate commitments by 2050 and strengthen national sovereignty of technologies dedicated to decarbonisation.

Context

To comply with the Paris agreement and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, France targets a reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of 81% by 2050 relative to 2015 levels in its industrial sector (SNBC 2020). To meet this ambitious target, a range of decarbonisation solutions exists, from new technologies (ex: alternative fuels such as hydrogen or ammonia, or CO2 capture for storage or use) to the optimisation of existing processes (electrification, industrial symbiosis). Supporting the development of
these new industrial paths is the aim of the LCA-SPLEEN project, by providing stakeholders with metrics to quantify environmental performance and identify potential pollution transfers. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method provides a standardized framework to assess the environmental impacts of
products or services across their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to waste management, using a
multi-criteria approach. The LCA methodology has been expanded to assess the eco-efficiency of
development scenarios (territorial LCA, Loiseau et al. 2018).

LCA converts resource consumptions and pollutant emissions into potential environmental impacts using characterization factors grouped into categories (climate change, acidification, etc.). The ISO 14040/44 standard recommends that when choosing impact categories, the potential impacts of the system under study should be covered exhaustively. This quest for exhaustiveness is reflected in existing impact assessment methods (ex: IMPACT world+ or EF3.1), which all contain more than ten categories. With so many indicators, the decision-making process becomes complex, especially when the systems being compared with LCA are responsible for burden-shifting between impacts categories.

It is therefore essential to help stakeholders interpret LCA results, so that they can make informed decisions when choosing decarbonization options. The literature contains various initiatives along these lines. Two types of method are observed: exclusion of certain criteria or classification, potentially followed by aggregation, of the criteria. For example, Guérin-Schneider et al (2018) derived multiple insights from developing a simplified LCA calculator for analyzing water treatment systems. In particular, they recommend aiding users to disregard midpoint impact categories where differences are negligible, and the absolute impact is not severe. And for aggregation, Zhangelini et al (2018) show, through a literature review, the value of using multi-criteria decision support methods to help interpret LCA results. Weighting, presented as an optional step in the characterization of impacts in the standard, is one of these methods.

These multi-criteria decision support methods are noteworthy as they aim to actively involve stakeholders in the LCA. This type of approach can only be done under good conditions if the number of criteria is low. The classification of criteria obtained reflects the decision-maker’s preferences: it is a subjective result. In this postdoctoral research project, we would like to first focus on objective methods to reduce the number of criteria. These methods would particularly benefit from in-depth research on considering uncertainties in the impact calculation, especially the uncertainties of characterization factors.

Objectives

The aim of this postdoctoral research project is to enhance the environmental assessment of territorial trajectories for decarbonising industry by focusing on the interpretation step of territorial LCA. Presenting all the impact results for each midpoint category is not effective for using LCA in a decision-making process. As such, this postdoctoral research project will answer the following research question: “How to objectively reduce the number of indicators to consider during decision-making”? To answer this question, the postdoctoral researcher will develop a transparent and objective framework based on the hypothesis that it is not useful to consider categories in which the differences in impacts between alternatives are not significant, and in which the maximum impact reached by an alternative is not severe.

Postdoctoral tasks

As part of the LCA-SPLEEN project, territorial LCA will be used for the environmental assessment of territorial trajectories for decarbonizing industry. The tasks of the post-doc are as follows (they may evolve depending on the candidate’s affinities):

• Propose a transparent and objective framework to reduce the number of impact categories to be considered for decision-making:
  • Propose a method for incorporating uncertainties in characterization factors when assessing impacts. For each impact category, explain the approach to adopt to determine whether a difference in results between two solutions is significant.
  • Define a method to contextualize the absolute result in each impact category and identify whether the severity of the impact is negligible or not. For example, this could be done by contextualizing the indicators within their cause-and-effect chain (midpoint to areas of protection) or within the framework of planetary boundaries.
  • Apply the methods described in the previous two points to at least one case study as a proof of concept.

• Help with communicating results:

  • Identify the key information to be provided to stakeholders in order to meet the objective of the territorial LCA and help them make informed decisions.

  • Find the best way to present this information (e.g. type of graph, construction of a newaggregate indicator, etc.).

This work will be promoted by participation in conferences within and outside the PEPR SPLEEN and by the writing of at least one scientific article. The development of training material for the methods developed would also be a plus, to enable the method to be disseminated.

Hard skills

Skills required:

• Good skills in statistics and data management (uncertainty calculation).
• Good programming skills preferably in Python.

Skills appreciated:

• Knowledge of LCA

Soft skills

• Rigour and precision.
• Analytical mind and ability to solve complex problems.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Good mastery of English.
• Ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors.

Education and prerequisites

• PhD obtained less than 3 years ago.

Supervision and monitoring

The postdoctoral researcher will mainly collaborate with Sibylle DUVAL–DACHARY ([email protected]) – LCA specialist, who will ensure regular monitoring of the work and provide technical and methodological support throughout the postdoctoral project. The work will also be carried out in close cooperation with other IFPEN researchers, as well as with the various research teams in the LCA-SPLEEN project: INRAE, CEA, Université de Bordeaux.

Application

• To apply, send your CV, cover letter and one recommendation letter to [email protected].

References

Guérin-Schneider L., et al. (2018) How to better include environmental assessment in public decision-making: Lessons from the use of an LCA-calculator for wastewater systems, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.168.
Loiseau E., et al. (2018) Territorial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): What exactly is it about? A proposal towards using a common terminology and a research agenda, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.169.
ISO 14040 (2006) Environmental management – Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework.
ISO 14044 (2006) Environmental management – life cycle assessment – requirements and guidelines.
SNBC (2020) https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/strategie-nationale-bas-carbone-snbc.
Zanghelini G.M., et al. (2018) How Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is aiding Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in results interpretation, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.230.