The Experts below are selected from a list of 373080 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Véronique Bellon-maurel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Adapting the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, P. Maurel, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:Purpose: Since the implementation of the European directive (EC/2001/42) on strategic Environmental Assessment, an ex-ante evaluation has become mandatory for plans and programmes. This requirement could have significant consequences for the environment. Local authorities, who are in charge of land planning issues, must therefore conduct such Assessments. However, they are faced with lack of uniform methodology. The aim of this paper is thus to propose a methodological framework for the required Environmental Assessment stages in land planning. Methods: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified as a promising tool to perform Environmental Assessment at a meso-level (i.e., territories). Yet, the standardized LCA framework has never been used for assessing the Environmental impacts of a territory as such, which can be explained by the complexity that its application would involve. Four major methodological bottlenecks have been identified in this paper, i.e., (i) functional unit definition, (ii) boundary selection, (iii) data collecting, and (iv) the refinement of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment phase in order to provide useful indicators for land planning. For each of these challenges, recommendations have been made to adapt the analytical framework of LCA. Results and discussion: A revised framework is proposed to perform LCA of a territory. One of the major adaptations needed concerns the goal and scope definition phase. Henceforth, the association of a territory and the studied land planning scenario, defined by its geographical boundaries and its interactions with other territories, will be designated as the reference flow in LCA. Consequently, two kinds of indicators will be determined using this approach, i.e., (i) a vector of Environmental impacts generated (conventional LCA) and (ii) a vector of land use functions provided by the territory for different stakeholders (e.g., provision of work, recreation, culture,...). This revised framework has been applied to a theoretical case study in order to highlight its utility in land planning. Conclusion: This work is a first step in the adaptation of the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning. We believe that this revised framework has the potential to provide relevant information in decision-making processes. Nonetheless, further work is still needed to broaden and deepe.
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Environmental Assessment of a territory: an overview of existing tools and methods
Journal of Environmental Management, 2012Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:In order to reduce our Environmental impact, methods for Environmental Assessment of human activities are urgently needed. In particular in the case of Assessment of land planning scenarios, there is presently no consensual and widely adopted method although it is strongly required by the European Directive (2001/42/EC) on Strategic Environmental Assessment. However, different kinds of tools and methods are available such as human and Environmental risk Assessment, the ecological footprint, material flow analysis, substance flow analysis, physical input-output table, ecological network analysis, exergy, emergy or life cycle Assessment. This review proposes a discussion on these tools and methods specifically applied to territories. After the meaning of territory is clarified, these approaches are presented and analyzed based on “key features” such as formalization, system modeling, inventoried flows, indicators provided and usability. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. It also emphasizes that the approach of life cycle Assessment could provide a relevant framework for the Environmental Assessment of territories as it is the only method which can avoid burden shifting between life cycle stages, Environmental impacts and territories.
E. Loiseau - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Adapting the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, P. Maurel, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:Purpose: Since the implementation of the European directive (EC/2001/42) on strategic Environmental Assessment, an ex-ante evaluation has become mandatory for plans and programmes. This requirement could have significant consequences for the environment. Local authorities, who are in charge of land planning issues, must therefore conduct such Assessments. However, they are faced with lack of uniform methodology. The aim of this paper is thus to propose a methodological framework for the required Environmental Assessment stages in land planning. Methods: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified as a promising tool to perform Environmental Assessment at a meso-level (i.e., territories). Yet, the standardized LCA framework has never been used for assessing the Environmental impacts of a territory as such, which can be explained by the complexity that its application would involve. Four major methodological bottlenecks have been identified in this paper, i.e., (i) functional unit definition, (ii) boundary selection, (iii) data collecting, and (iv) the refinement of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment phase in order to provide useful indicators for land planning. For each of these challenges, recommendations have been made to adapt the analytical framework of LCA. Results and discussion: A revised framework is proposed to perform LCA of a territory. One of the major adaptations needed concerns the goal and scope definition phase. Henceforth, the association of a territory and the studied land planning scenario, defined by its geographical boundaries and its interactions with other territories, will be designated as the reference flow in LCA. Consequently, two kinds of indicators will be determined using this approach, i.e., (i) a vector of Environmental impacts generated (conventional LCA) and (ii) a vector of land use functions provided by the territory for different stakeholders (e.g., provision of work, recreation, culture,...). This revised framework has been applied to a theoretical case study in order to highlight its utility in land planning. Conclusion: This work is a first step in the adaptation of the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning. We believe that this revised framework has the potential to provide relevant information in decision-making processes. Nonetheless, further work is still needed to broaden and deepe.
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Environmental Assessment of a territory: an overview of existing tools and methods
Journal of Environmental Management, 2012Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:In order to reduce our Environmental impact, methods for Environmental Assessment of human activities are urgently needed. In particular in the case of Assessment of land planning scenarios, there is presently no consensual and widely adopted method although it is strongly required by the European Directive (2001/42/EC) on Strategic Environmental Assessment. However, different kinds of tools and methods are available such as human and Environmental risk Assessment, the ecological footprint, material flow analysis, substance flow analysis, physical input-output table, ecological network analysis, exergy, emergy or life cycle Assessment. This review proposes a discussion on these tools and methods specifically applied to territories. After the meaning of territory is clarified, these approaches are presented and analyzed based on “key features” such as formalization, system modeling, inventoried flows, indicators provided and usability. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. It also emphasizes that the approach of life cycle Assessment could provide a relevant framework for the Environmental Assessment of territories as it is the only method which can avoid burden shifting between life cycle stages, Environmental impacts and territories.
Pertti Viitaniemi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a critical review of building Environmental Assessment tools
Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2008Co-Authors: Appu Haapio, Pertti ViitaniemiAbstract:Abstract Since the field of Environmental Assessment tools for buildings is vast, the aim of this study is to clarify that field by analysing and categorising existing tools. The differences between the tools are discussed and the current situation within the tools is critically analysed. However, the comparison of the tools is difficult, if not impossible. For example, the tools are designed for assessing different types of buildings, and they emphasise different phases of the life cycle. In addition to Environmental aspects, sustainable building includes economic and social aspects. The shift from green building to sustainable building and the future requirements are challenging for building Environmental Assessment tools. Furthermore, the benefits of using the tools should be analysed — how the tools and their results have affected decision making?
P. Roux - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Adapting the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, P. Maurel, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:Purpose: Since the implementation of the European directive (EC/2001/42) on strategic Environmental Assessment, an ex-ante evaluation has become mandatory for plans and programmes. This requirement could have significant consequences for the environment. Local authorities, who are in charge of land planning issues, must therefore conduct such Assessments. However, they are faced with lack of uniform methodology. The aim of this paper is thus to propose a methodological framework for the required Environmental Assessment stages in land planning. Methods: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified as a promising tool to perform Environmental Assessment at a meso-level (i.e., territories). Yet, the standardized LCA framework has never been used for assessing the Environmental impacts of a territory as such, which can be explained by the complexity that its application would involve. Four major methodological bottlenecks have been identified in this paper, i.e., (i) functional unit definition, (ii) boundary selection, (iii) data collecting, and (iv) the refinement of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment phase in order to provide useful indicators for land planning. For each of these challenges, recommendations have been made to adapt the analytical framework of LCA. Results and discussion: A revised framework is proposed to perform LCA of a territory. One of the major adaptations needed concerns the goal and scope definition phase. Henceforth, the association of a territory and the studied land planning scenario, defined by its geographical boundaries and its interactions with other territories, will be designated as the reference flow in LCA. Consequently, two kinds of indicators will be determined using this approach, i.e., (i) a vector of Environmental impacts generated (conventional LCA) and (ii) a vector of land use functions provided by the territory for different stakeholders (e.g., provision of work, recreation, culture,...). This revised framework has been applied to a theoretical case study in order to highlight its utility in land planning. Conclusion: This work is a first step in the adaptation of the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning. We believe that this revised framework has the potential to provide relevant information in decision-making processes. Nonetheless, further work is still needed to broaden and deepe.
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Environmental Assessment of a territory: an overview of existing tools and methods
Journal of Environmental Management, 2012Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:In order to reduce our Environmental impact, methods for Environmental Assessment of human activities are urgently needed. In particular in the case of Assessment of land planning scenarios, there is presently no consensual and widely adopted method although it is strongly required by the European Directive (2001/42/EC) on Strategic Environmental Assessment. However, different kinds of tools and methods are available such as human and Environmental risk Assessment, the ecological footprint, material flow analysis, substance flow analysis, physical input-output table, ecological network analysis, exergy, emergy or life cycle Assessment. This review proposes a discussion on these tools and methods specifically applied to territories. After the meaning of territory is clarified, these approaches are presented and analyzed based on “key features” such as formalization, system modeling, inventoried flows, indicators provided and usability. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. It also emphasizes that the approach of life cycle Assessment could provide a relevant framework for the Environmental Assessment of territories as it is the only method which can avoid burden shifting between life cycle stages, Environmental impacts and territories.
G. Junqua - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Adapting the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2013Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, P. Maurel, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:Purpose: Since the implementation of the European directive (EC/2001/42) on strategic Environmental Assessment, an ex-ante evaluation has become mandatory for plans and programmes. This requirement could have significant consequences for the environment. Local authorities, who are in charge of land planning issues, must therefore conduct such Assessments. However, they are faced with lack of uniform methodology. The aim of this paper is thus to propose a methodological framework for the required Environmental Assessment stages in land planning. Methods: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been identified as a promising tool to perform Environmental Assessment at a meso-level (i.e., territories). Yet, the standardized LCA framework has never been used for assessing the Environmental impacts of a territory as such, which can be explained by the complexity that its application would involve. Four major methodological bottlenecks have been identified in this paper, i.e., (i) functional unit definition, (ii) boundary selection, (iii) data collecting, and (iv) the refinement of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment phase in order to provide useful indicators for land planning. For each of these challenges, recommendations have been made to adapt the analytical framework of LCA. Results and discussion: A revised framework is proposed to perform LCA of a territory. One of the major adaptations needed concerns the goal and scope definition phase. Henceforth, the association of a territory and the studied land planning scenario, defined by its geographical boundaries and its interactions with other territories, will be designated as the reference flow in LCA. Consequently, two kinds of indicators will be determined using this approach, i.e., (i) a vector of Environmental impacts generated (conventional LCA) and (ii) a vector of land use functions provided by the territory for different stakeholders (e.g., provision of work, recreation, culture,...). This revised framework has been applied to a theoretical case study in order to highlight its utility in land planning. Conclusion: This work is a first step in the adaptation of the LCA framework to Environmental Assessment in land planning. We believe that this revised framework has the potential to provide relevant information in decision-making processes. Nonetheless, further work is still needed to broaden and deepe.
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Environmental Assessment of a territory: an overview of existing tools and methods
Journal of Environmental Management, 2012Co-Authors: E. Loiseau, G. Junqua, P. Roux, Véronique Bellon-maurelAbstract:In order to reduce our Environmental impact, methods for Environmental Assessment of human activities are urgently needed. In particular in the case of Assessment of land planning scenarios, there is presently no consensual and widely adopted method although it is strongly required by the European Directive (2001/42/EC) on Strategic Environmental Assessment. However, different kinds of tools and methods are available such as human and Environmental risk Assessment, the ecological footprint, material flow analysis, substance flow analysis, physical input-output table, ecological network analysis, exergy, emergy or life cycle Assessment. This review proposes a discussion on these tools and methods specifically applied to territories. After the meaning of territory is clarified, these approaches are presented and analyzed based on “key features” such as formalization, system modeling, inventoried flows, indicators provided and usability. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each tool. It also emphasizes that the approach of life cycle Assessment could provide a relevant framework for the Environmental Assessment of territories as it is the only method which can avoid burden shifting between life cycle stages, Environmental impacts and territories.
