Room: Poster Area A
Date: Monday, 09 June 2025
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 2AV.3
Life cycle thinking and environmental assessments in bio-based innovations: from materials to energy systems
Impact of LCA Methodological Choices on Biodiesel Sustainability Classification: A Review
Short Introductive summary
This research presents a systematic review exploring how methodological choices in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) influence the sustainability classification of biodiesel, specifically focusing on biodiesel derived from beef tallow. This study identifies that LCA classifications are impacted by decisions regarding input categorization (e.g., waste vs. co-product), allocation methods, and system boundary definitions. Through examining a range of LCA studies, the authors highlight inconsistencies in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessments due to insufficient justification for methodological choices, particularly in allocations and boundary settings. The review underscores beef tallow's potential as a low-cost, sustainable feedstock for biodiesel, while also noting the influence of regional production conditions and land-use considerations on environmental outcomes. The findings advocate for a standardized approach to LCA in biofuel assessments to enhance the comparability and consistency of sustainability evaluations.
Presenter
Edgar A. SILVEIRA
University of Brasilia, Mechanical Engineering Dpt., BRAZIL
Presenter's biography
PhD in Mechanical Sciences from the University of Brasilia (UNB-Brazil) and in Fiber and Wood Sciences from the University of Lorraine (France). Professor at UNB, Silveira is engaged with biomass energy, waste management, thermochemical conversion technologies, heat transfer and energy systems.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
M.C. Rodrigues, University of Brasilia, BRAZIL
Session reference: 2AV.3.24