Browse > Article

Trends and Interpretation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Carbon Footprinting of Fruit Products: Focused on Kiwifruits in Gyeongnam Region  

Deurer, Markus (Production Footprints Team, Plant & Food Research)
Clothier, Brent (Production Footprints Team, Plant & Food Research)
Huh, Keun-Young (Green Technology Institute, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology)
Jun, Gee-Ill (Green Technology Institute, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology)
Kim, In-Hea (Production Footprints Team, Plant & Food Research)
Kim, Dae-Il (Department of Horticultural Science, Chungbuk National University)
Publication Information
Horticultural Science & Technology / v.29, no.5, 2011 , pp. 389-406 More about this Journal
Abstract
As part of a feasibility study for introducing carbon labeling of fruit products in Korea, we explore the use of carbon footprints for Korean kiwifruit from Gyeongnam region as a case study. In Korea, the Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) is responsible for the carbon footprint labeling certification, and has two types of certification programs: one program focuses on climate change response (carbon footprint labeling analysis) and the other on low-carbon products (reduction of carbon footprints analysis). Currently agricultural products have not yet been included in the program. Carbon labeling could soon be a prerequisite for the international trading of agricultural products. In general the carbon footprints of various agricultural products from New Zealand followed the methodology described in the ISO standards and conformed to the PAS 2050. The carbon footprint assessment focuses on a supply chain, and considers the foreground and the background systems. The basic scheme consists of four phases, which are the 'goal', 'scope', 'inventory analysis', and 'interpretation' phases. In the case of the carbon footprint of New Zealand kiwifruit the study tried to understand each phase's contribution to total GHG emissions. According to the results, shipping, orchard, and coolstore operation are the main life cycle stages that contribute to the carbon footprint of the kiwifruit supply chain stretching from the orchard in New Zealand to the consumer in the UK. The carbon emission of long-distance transportation such as shipping can be a hot-spot of GHG emissions, but can be balanced out by minimizing the carbon footprint of other life cycle phases. For this reason it is important that orchard and coolstore operations reduce the GHG-intensive inputs such as fuel or electricity to minimize GHG emissions and consequently facilitate the industry to compete in international markets. The carbon footprint labeling guided by international standards should be introduced for fruit products in Korea as soon as possible. The already established LCA methodology of NZ kiwifruit can be applied for fruit products as a case study.
Keywords
Actinidia spp.; carbon labeling; greenhouse gas; life cycle inventory; supply chain;
Citations & Related Records

Times Cited By Web Of Science : 0  (Related Records In Web of Science)
Times Cited By SCOPUS : 0
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Sim, S., M. Barry, R. Clift, and S.J. Cowell. 2007. The relative importance of transport in determining an appropriate sustainability strategy for food sourcing: a case study of fresh produce supply chains. Intl. J. Life Cycle Assessment 12:422-431.
2 Smith, A., P. Watkiss, G. Tweddle, A. McKinnon, M. Browne, A. Hunt, C. Treleven, C. Nash, and S. Cross. 2005. The validity of food miles as an indicator of sustainable development: Final report. Food Miles Final Report Issue 7. AEA Technol. Environ., Didcot.
3 Sundkvist, A., A.M. Jansson, and P. Larsson. 2001. Strengths and limitations of localizing food production as a sustainability building strategy: An analysis of bread production on the island of Gotland, Sweden. Ecol. Econ. 37:217-227.   DOI   ScienceOn
4 Tesco. 2008. Carbon labeling and Tesco. www.tesco.com.
5 Walmart. 2011. www.walmartstores.com.
6 Wells, C.M. 2001. Total energy indicators of agricultural sustainability: Dairy farming case study final report. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wellington, New Zealand.
7 Wiedmann, T. and J. Minx. 2007. A definition of carbon footprint. $ISA^{UK}$ Research report 07-01. www.isa-research.co.uk.
8 Mila i Canals, L., J. Romanya, and S.J. Cowell. 2007a. Method for assessing impacts on life supporting functions (LSF) related to the use of 'fertile land' in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). J. Cleaner Prod. 15:1426-1440.   DOI   ScienceOn
9 Mila i Canals, L., S.J. Cowell, S. Sim, and L. Basson. 2007b. Comparing domestic versus imported apples: A focus on energy use. Environ. Sci. and Pollution Res. 14:338-344.   DOI   ScienceOn
10 Mila i Canals, L. 2007. LCA methodology and modeling considerations for vegetable production and consumption. Univ. Surrey, Guildford.
11 Ministry of Economic Development (MED). 2007. Energy greenhouse gas emissions 1990-2005. Ministry of Econ. Dev., Wellington.
12 Nielson, P.H., A.M. Nielson, B.P. Weidema, R. Dalgaard, and N. Halberg. 2003. LCA Food Database. www.lcafood.dk.
13 Reardon, T., S. Henson, and J. Berdegue. 2007. 'Proactive fasttracking' diffusion of supermarkets in developing countries: Implications for market institutions and trade. J. Econ. Geography 7:399-431.   DOI   ScienceOn
14 Ross, S. and D. Evans. 2003. The environmental effect of reusing and recycling a plastic-based packaging system. J. Cleaner Prod. 11:561-571.   DOI   ScienceOn
15 Roy, P., D. Nei, H. Okadome, N. Nakmura, T.I. Orikasa, and T. Shina. 2008. Life cycle inventory analysis of fresh tomato distribution systems in Japan considering the quality aspect. J. Food Eng. 86:225-233.   DOI   ScienceOn
16 Schmidt, J.H., P. Christensen, and T.S. Christensen. 2009. Assessing the land use implications of biodiesel use from an LCA perspective. J. Land Use Sci. 4:35-52.   DOI   ScienceOn
17 SETAC Europe LCA Steering Committee. 2008. Standardisation efforts to measure greenhouse gases and 'carbon footprinting' for products. Intl. J. Life Cycle Assessment 13:87-88.   DOI   ScienceOn
18 Kwon, Y.D. 2010. Challenges and counterplans of Gyeongnam agricultural industry and villages for low carbon and green growth. Gyeongnam Development Institute, Changwon.
19 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Food. 2001. The environmental impact of food from origin to waste: interim report from LCA food project. LRF The Federation of Swedish Farmers, Stockholm.
20 Lindeijer, E. 2000. Biodiversity and life support impacts of land use in LCA. J. Cleaner Prod. 8:313-319.   DOI   ScienceOn
21 Lundie, S. and G.M. Peters. 2005. Life cycle assessment of food waste management options. J. Cleaner Prod. 13:275-286.   DOI   ScienceOn
22 Mattsson, B. 1999. Environmental life cycle assessment of organic and integrated production of carrot puree, p. 45-53. In: B. Mattsson (ed.). 'Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Agricultural food production. PhD Diss., Swedish Univ. Agr. Sci., Alnarp.
23 Mattsson, B. and M. Stadig. 1999. Screening life cycle assessment of organic and conventional production of a cereal based baby food product, p. 68-91. In: B. Mattsson (ed.). 'Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Agricultural food production, PhD Diss., Swedish Univ. Agr. Sci., Alnarp.
24 Mattsson, B., C. Cederberg, and L. Blix. 2000. Agricultural land use in life cycle assessment (LCA): Case studies of three vegetable oil crops. J. Cleaner Prod. 8:283-292.   DOI   ScienceOn
25 McLaren, S.J., A. Smith, and N. Mithraratne. 2008. Carbon footprinting for the kiwifruit supply chain - Report on implementation. MAF, Wellington.
26 Mila i Canals, L., C.M. Burnip, and S.J. Cowell. 2006. Evaluation of the environmental impacts of apple production using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Case study in New Zealand. Agr. Ecosystems Environ. 111:226-238.
27 Itsubo, N. and A. Inaba. 2003. A new LCIA method: LIME has been completed. Intl. J. Life Cycle Assessment 8:305.   DOI   ScienceOn
28 Janulis, P. 2004. Reduction of energy consumption in biodiesel fuel life cycle. Renewable Energy 29:861-871.   DOI   ScienceOn
29 Kim, C.G., J.K. Jang, H.M. Kwon, and J.J. Nam. 2009. Policy implications and directions for introducing carbon labeling system in Korean agriculture. Policy Study Issue P121 of Korean Rural Economic Institute, Seoul.
30 Kim, C.G., Y.H. Kim, and H.G. Jung. 2010. Actual conditions of carbon emission trading system management in agricultural industries of advanced countries. Korean Rural Economic Institute, Seoul.
31 Kim, I. 2009. The necessity and trends of carbon labeling as the response of climate change. Global Green Growth Policy 10:1-14.
32 Kim, K.H. 2011. The trends and prospects of carbon labeling in Korea and the advanced countries. Global Green Growth Policy 39:1-16.
33 Kim, S. and B.E. Dale. 2005. Life cycle assessment of various cropping systems utilized for producing biofuels: Bioethanol and biodiesel. Biomass Bioenergy 29:433-439.
34 Kim, W.S. 2006. A preliminary goal-setting and implementing strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Seoul. Seoul Dev. Inst. p. 3-4.
35 Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI). 2011. www.krei.re.kr.
36 Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI). 2011. www.edp.or.kr.
37 Krozer, Y. 2008. Life cycle costing for innovations in product chains. J. Cleaner Prod. 16:310-321.   DOI   ScienceOn
38 Kwon, Y.D. 2009. Counterplans of Gyeongnam agricultural industry against climate change. Issue paper of Gyeongnam Development Institute, Changwon.
39 Finkbeiner, M., A. Inaba, R.B.H. Tan, K. Christiansen, and H.J. Kluppel. 2006. The new international standards for life cycle assessment: ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. Intl. J. Life Cycle Assessment 11:80-85.   DOI   ScienceOn
40 Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services (GARES). 2011. www.knrda.go.kr.
41 Green, S.R., S. Sivakumaran, C. Van den Dijssel, T.M. Mills, P. Blattmann, W.P. Snelgar, M.J. Clearwater, and M. Judd. 2007. A water and nitrogen budget for 'Hort16a' kiwifruit vines. Acta Hort. 753:527-534.
42 Growcom, A.J.E. 2008. Vegetable industry carbon footprint scoping study. Horticulture Australia Ltd., Sydney.
43 Hass, G., F. Whtterich, and U. Kopke. 2001. Comparing intensive, extensified and organic grassland farming in southern Germany by process life cycle assessment. Agr. Ecosystems Environ. 83:43-53.   DOI   ScienceOn
44 Henningsson, S., K. Hyde, A. Smith, and M. Campbell. 2004. The value of resource efficiency in the food industry: A waste minimization project in East Anglia, UK. J. Cleaner Prod. 12:505-512.   DOI   ScienceOn
45 Huh, K.Y., M. Deurer, S. Sivakumaran, K. McAuliffe, and N.S. Bolan. 2008. Carbon sequestration in urban landscapes: The example of a turfgrass system in New Zealand. Austral. J. Soil Res. 46:610-616.   DOI   ScienceOn
46 International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 1997. ISO 14040 Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework. ISO, Geneve.
47 International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 2006. ISO 14040:2006(E) Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework. ISO, Geneve.
48 International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2001. Climate change 2001: The scientific basis, p. 944. In: J.T. Houghton, Y. Ding, D.J. Griggs, M.P. Noguer. J. Van der Linden, and D. Xiaosu (eds.). Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge.
49 Carlsson-Kanyama, A. 1998a. Climate change and dietary choices: How can emissions of greenhouse gases from food consumption be reduced? Food Policy 23:277-293.   DOI   ScienceOn
50 Carlsson-Kanyama, A. 1998b. Food consumption patterns and their influence on climate change. Ambio 27:528-534.
51 Deurer, M., B.E. Clothier, A. Pickering, and D. Cleland. 2008a. Carbon footprinting for the kiwifruit supply chain - Reduction opportunities. Plant & Food Research Contract Report to Landcare Research, Auckland.
52 Deurer, M., B.E. Clothier, A. Pickering, R. McDonald, and M. Piquet. 2008b. Carbon footprinting for the wine supply chain - Reduction opportunities. Plant & Food Research Contract Report to Landcare Research, Auckland.
53 Deurer, M., B.E. Clothier, R. McDonald, and C.W. Van den Dijssel. 2010. Greenhouse gas footprinting and berryfruit production - Reduction opportunities. Plant & Food Research Contract Report to Landcare Research, Auckland.
54 Deurer, M., B.E. Clothier, R. McDonald, M. Piquet, and J.T.S. Walker. 2009. Carbon footprinting for the apple supply chain - Reduction opportunities. Plant & Food Research Contract Report to Landcare Research, Auckland.
55 Ecoinvent. 2007. Ecoinvent Database v.2.01. Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories. www.ecoinvent.org.
56 Edward-Jones, G., K. Plassman, E.H. York, B. Hounsome, D.L. Jones, and L. Mila i Canals. 2009. Vulnerability of exporting nations to the development of a carbon label in the United Kingdom. Environ. Sci. Policy 12:479-490.   DOI   ScienceOn
57 Ekvall, T. and G. Finnveden. 2001. Allocation in ISO14041 - A critical review. J. Cleaner Prod. 9:197-208.   DOI   ScienceOn
58 European Commission-Joint Research Center (EU-JRC). 2010. International reference life cycle data system (ILCD) Handbook - general guide for life cycle assessment - detailed guidance. EUR 24708 EN. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
59 Audsley, E., S. Alber, R. Clift, S. Cowell, P. Crettaz, G. Gaillard, J. Hausheer, O. Jolliet, R. Kleijn, B. Mortensen, D. Pearce, E. Roger, H. Teulon, B. Weidema, and H. Van Zeijts. 1997. Harmonization of environmental life cycle assessment for agriculture: Final report. Concerted Action AIR3-CT94-2028. European Commission. DG VI Agriculture.
60 Berlin, J. 2002. Environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of Swedish semi-hard cheese. Intl. Dairy J. 12:939-953.   DOI   ScienceOn
61 Berlin, J., U. Sonesson, and A.M. Tillman. 2007. A life cycle based method to minimize environmental impact on dairy production through product sequencing. J. Cleaner Prod. 15: 347-356.   DOI   ScienceOn
62 Bovea, M.D. and J.C. Powell. 2005. Alternative scenarios to meet the demands of sustainable waste management. J. Environ. Mgt. 79:115-132.
63 Brentrup, F., J. Kusters, H. Huhlmann, and J. Lammel. 2004a. Environmental impact assessment of agricultural production systems using the life cycle assessment methodology: I. Theoretical concept of a LCA method tailored to crop production. European J. Agron. 20:247-264.   DOI   ScienceOn
64 Brentrup, F., J. Kusters, H. Kuhlmann, and J. Lammel. 2001. Application of the life cycle assessment metholodogy to agricultural production: an example of sugar beet production with different forms of nitrogen fertilizers. European J. Agron. 14:221-233.   DOI   ScienceOn
65 Brentrup, F., J. Kusters, J. Lammel, P. Barraclough, and H. Huhlmann, 2004b. Environmental impact assessment of agricultural production systems using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology: II. The application to N fertilizer use in winter wheat production systems. European J. Agron. 20:265-279.   DOI   ScienceOn
66 British Standard Institution (BSI). 2008. PAS 2050: Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. Brit. Stnds. Inst., London.
67 Adisa, A. 1999. Life cycle assessment and its application to process selection, design and optimization. Chem. Eng. J. 79:1-21.
68 Alcorn, A. 2003. Embodied energy and $CO_{2}$ coefficients for NZ building materials. Centre for Building Performance Research. Victoria Univ., Wellington, Wellington.
69 Andersson, K., T. Ohlsson, and P. Ohlsson. 1998. Screening life cycle assessment (LCA) of tomato ketchup: A case study. J. Cleaner Prod. 6:277-288.   DOI   ScienceOn
70 Anton, A., J.I. Montero, P. Munzo, and F. Castells. 2005. LCA and tomato production in Mediterranean greenhouses. Intl. J. Agr. Resources Governance Ecol. 4:102-112.   DOI