Supply chain integrated LCA approach to assess environmental impacts of food production in Finland

Authors

• Kirsi Usva MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
• Merja Saarinen MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
• Juha-Matti Katajajuuri MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
• Sirpa Kurppa MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.5967

Keywords:

life cycle assessment, LCA, food, supply chain integrated LCA, environmental impact

Abstract

A process was started in the late 1990s to produce comprehensive environmental data on particular aspects of Finnish food production with the aim of analyzing the environmental impacts (at least climate change, acidification and eutrophication and some other impacts) of products and locating hot spots in production chains. A supply chain integrated life cycle assessment was carried out on fodder barley, hard cheese, oat flakes, potato flour, cream cheese potato gratin, beer, honey-marinated/sliced broiler fillet and greenhouse cucumber. Methodological improvements in assessing environmental impacts of food products were evaluated in relation to ISO14040 and 14044 standards. Methods improved, especially regarding quality of cultivation data and previously reported data from the literature, impact assessment and calculations for assessment of leaching from agriculture. As a generic conclusion on the share of contributions of the various phases of production chains to environmental impact: agriculture was the most important phase, especially in terms of eutrophication potential. Work in food LCA methodology has provided a sound base for future development in assessing environmental impacts of food products. In the future providing more and more environmental information on products for customers and consumers is setting new challenges for research.;