DOI: http//dx.doi.org/10.1065/lca199911.005 --- In literature, many models (qualitatively as well as quantitatively) can be found to cope with the problem of communicating results of LCA analyses with decision takers. Most models translate data on emissions in a single indicator, using a classification and characterisation step. More than 30 of these models have been looked at, 14 of which have been studied in detail. From these analyses, it was concluded that there is still a need for further development. A new model for a single indicator has been designed on the basis of the following main criteria:
i. The model must be easily explainable to non-specialists (i.e. the model must relate to ´´normal life´´)
ii. The model must be ´´transparent´´ for a specialist:
- Since the choice of the region influences all these kind of calculations, specialists must be able to adapt the data for the calculation to cope with the choice of a specific region (the data in this publication is for the Dutch and West European region).
- Since the character of these calculations is that some arbitrary decisions cannot be avoided, the model must have a structure that enables an easy assessment of the effect of these decisions, so that the experts can adapt the model to there own judgements.
Based on the analyses of the aforementioned existing models, it was concluded that a model based on the marginal prevention costs seems to give the best fit with the two criteria mentioned above. These marginal prevention costs are assessed for seven emission effect classes on the bases of prevention measures which are based on readily available technologies. The costs of the measures are based on current West European price levels.
Essential to the model is that it must be judged whether the set of measures is sufficient to reach a sustainable level of emissions. Given a certain region one can calculate the effect of the set of measures (provided that enough data on that region is available) for the current situation. These calculations , based on West European current price levels, have been made for The Netherlands as a region for the following classes of emissions:
- acidification, eutrophication, summer smog, winter smog and heavy metals, based on the previous work of IVM, Amsterdam
- global warming by CO 2 emissions based on the previous work of ECN, Petten
Furthermore, it has been checked how the assumptions are related to the current emission targets of the Dutch government, and it has been discussed how this data may relate to other regions in the world.
The following data set is proposed to be applied as marginal prevention costs:
- 6.40 Euro/kg SO x equivalent for acidification
- 3.05 Euro/kg PO 4 equivalent for eutrophication
- 50.00 Euro/kg VOC equivalent for summer smog
- 12.30 Euro/kg fine dust for winter smog
- 680 Euro/kg Zn equivalent for heavy metals
- 12.30 Euro/kg PAH equivalent for carcinogenics
- 114 Euro/1000 kg CO 2 equivalent for global warming
The ´´virtual pollution prevention costs ’99´´ is proposed as a single indicator for emissions, being the sum of the marginal prevention costs of all aforementioned classes of pollution. |
